Bevan French has handed Wigan Warriors a huge injury boost as they approach the crunch period of the Super League season.
French has been missing since the start of July after picking up a hamstring injury and his absence has been felt at times, with Wigan surrendering their spot at the top of the Super League table. However, with just four games of the regular Super League season remaining French has been passed fit to be involved this weekend against Catalans Dragons.
Wigan will be well-supported in the south of France and with Catalans having plenty to play for at this stage of the season, too, Saturday’s game is stacked in significance. Matt Peet’s side don’t need telling how important a win could be then, but the welcome return of French will surely help them travel with confidence.
Kaide Ellis has also returned to the fold for the Cherry and Whites, with the forward missing Wigan’s last outing against Hull FC through suspension. Ellis and French have been named in a squad that is without Harry Smith, Brad O’Neil, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell and Mike Cooper. Noah Hodkinson and Nathan Lowe drop out of the fold.
Catalans Dragons boss Steve McNamara has also made changes to his squad with Ben Lam stepping into the fold for the very first time. Lam signed for the Dragons earlier this month after making the switch from rugby union and he’ll be given the chance to prove himself in the 13-man code against the Warriors.
Lam is no stranger to scoring tries in rugby union and he’ll be keen to continue that for Catalans after joining the club. Catalans sit sixth in the Super League table after successive losses to Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos and they’ll be doing all they can to keep hold of their spot in the play-offs.
Leigh Leopards have the chance to knock them out of the top six on Friday night when they take on Warrington Wolves, but Catalans know a win over Wigan will be enough to end round 24 inside the play-offs.
Catalans Dragons 21-man squad: Arthur Mourgue, Tom Davies, Arthur Romano, Matthieu Laguerre, Fouad Yaha, Theo Fages, Mike McMeeken, Julian Bousquet, Paul Seguier, Benjamin Garcia, Alrix Da Costa, Bayley Sironen, Romain Navarette, Cesar Rouge, Chris Satae, Jordan Dezaria, Franck Maria, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Yacine Ben Abdeslem, Reimis Smith, Ben Lam.
Wigan Warriors 21-man squad: Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Ethan Havard, Liam Byrne, Kaide Ellis, Patrick Mago, Luke Thompson, Kruise Leeming, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill, Junior Nsemba, Sam Walters, Zach Eckersley, Tom Forber, Jacob Douglas, Jack Farrimond, Kian McDermott.
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