The Newcastle Knights are reported to be amassing a bid to bring former Parramatta Eels flyer Bevan French back to the NRL.
French left Australia in 2019 after scoring 35 tries in just 47 appearances for the Eels โ a fantastic strike rate that has only grown during his time at Super League giants Wigan, where heโs crossed the line 48 times in just 51 games.
Though heโs never managed to claim a league title, he was instrumental in Wiganโs charge to the 2022 Challenge Cup, beating Huddersfield 16-14 in the final and has also featured in Man of Steel discussions since his arrival. He also smashed the Super League record with seven tries during a 60-0 thrashing of Hull FC in July.
๐ Here is all SEVEN of Bevan French's record-breaking tries, enjoy!
๐น @SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/dtbQVLPkO9
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) July 15, 2022
But his fruitful time in England looks set to end, with French coming off-contract at seasonโs end and reportedly angling for a return to Australia and the NRL.
Newcastle are believed to be leading the charge, thanks in part to a number of outside backs leading the club. Youngster Tex Hoy is headed to Hull FC in the Super League, while rangy winger Edrick Lee will be joining the NRLโs newest franchise in Redcliffe.
French had reportedly wanted to come back from England a year earlier, but was unable to make a deal with any interested clubs. Since his return to Wigan heโs scored 24 tries in 18 games, streaking ahead of former Knight Ken Sio (21) in the race to be the Super Leagueโs top tryscorer.
Wigan are currently second on the ESL ladder, two points behind leaders St Helens.
