World Club Challenge 2024: Bevan French hoping to put himself in NRL shop window with win over Penrith

Mark Molyneux

World Club Challenge 2024: Bevan French hoping to put himself in NRL shop window with win over Penrith image

Penrith have had to wait a whole year for their shot at redemption ever since they went down 13-12 to St Helens on a sweltering Sydney night at the foot of the mountains. 

This time around in the World Club Challenge they will face Saints' bitter rivals Wigan on their home patch hoping to claim the only trophy which has eluded them during their recent golden run. 

World Club Challenge 2024: Bevan French hoping to put himself in NRL shop window with win over Penrith

Standing in the Panthers' way will be Super League's reigning Man of Steel, Bevan French, who enjoyed another stellar season for the Warriors in 2023. 

MORE: World Club Challenge 2024 preview | How to watch WCC in Australia

Super League outfits always play with a little chip on their shoulder against their more vaunted NRL opponents, with the chasm in quality often spoken about between the competitions every time this annual fixture rolls around. 

And French, who moved from Down Under to establish himself in the UK, will have to channel that feeling in front of a sold-out DW Stadium when he faces the three-time premiership winners on Saturday night. 

Although ahead of the clash, French was quietly confident his side could prolong Penrith's misery in the WCC by orchestrating their fourth straight loss in the showpiece event. 

"The calibre of players they have - they're all Origin players and Test players, so it'll be exciting to come up against the best of the best," French said after returning from a training camp in Portugal. 

"But everyone in the squad is looking forward to it and wants to test themselves against them.

"The occasion itself is going to be special. The atmosphere with a sold-out crowd at DW - it's going to be really exciting." 

There is no escaping from the fact the game stands as an opportunity for the 28-year-old to firmly place himself in the shop window for NRL clubs who will be watching on from afar on Sunday morning AEDT. 

When French left Australia five years ago, he did so as a pacey winger capable of the odd flash of brilliance as he struggled to come to terms with the upper echelon of the sport. 

At Parramatta he felt like he was fighting a losing battle, so packed his bags and headed to the north of England where he has since become a key member of Wigan's side. 

"I came over here with the goal of wanting to get back to the NRL one day," French admitted to NRL.com earlier in the week. 

The Warriors claimed their first Super League title in five years last season when thy toppled Catalans Dragons at Old Trafford, and in the process, they finally halted St Helens who had reigned supreme in the league for years. 

"We were yet to win a premiership," French said when explaining his reasoning behind inking a new deal with the club in 2022. 

"It felt like I owed them one. I definitely wanted to get that out of the way."

Bevan French contract: Could Wigan star be set for NRL move? 

Time is now ticking for French, who has one year remaining on his deal which he agreed to before last season culminated in earning the highest individual honour in the game along with the title. 

Within the contract there is an option for two more years at Wigan, yet this seems like it is unlikely to be triggered by French. 

"It’s important, you’ve got to - I guess - pick the right timing as well," he said in relation to his future. 

"If you do go back [to Australia], it’s sort of your last shot so everything’s got to fall into place, the way you want it to, to be able to do that."

French has been a shining success since joining Wigan in 2019, notching 76 tries in 87 appearances. 

His blistering speed remains one of his trademarks, but he has also developed playmaking smarts after switching into the halves last season. 

This move from head coach Matt Peet proved to be a masterstroke as he went on to cross for 17 four-pointers and provide 30 assists. 

"It's been a crazy feel here within Wigan itself," French said while reflecting upon the side's league triumph. 

"You're not too aware of it when you're on the outside looking in but when you're here in the middle of it, you realise how big it is and how it means everything to the town." 

It's clear French still has unfinished business both in Australia and England, which will start when Wigan attempt to claim the WCC title for a record-equalling fifth time. 

Mark Molyneux

Mark Molyneux Photo

Mark Molyneux is a freelance writer covering the NRL and UFC for Sporting News Australia. He has previously worked in the music industry and as a teacher around the world.