Wigan Warriors have struggled to find a settled partner for Harry Smith in the halves in 2023.

Lately Bevan French was played their becoming the sixth player to feature for Wigan in that role.

“I find it fascinating. I said back when they lost to Catalans Dragons at home back in Round Four, that stand-off was an issue for them,” Phil Clarke said on Sky Sports about the matter.

“This is Round 15 and Bevan French is the fifth player out of the squad to start at stand-off and I think Sam Powell has played some of a game there.

“So they have tried six players in 15 games in one position and that has an impact collectively on their attacking game.”

In playing French or Jai Field there, it has been suggested that it has made the Warriors weaker defensively with Brian Carney saying:

“They had no issues defensively earlier this season but lately it has collapsed in recent weeks.”

That said, he dismissed concerns about French’s defence labelling him “the best attacking player in the competition.”

“He is not known for his defence and that is okay because he’s the best attacking player in the competition,” he said.