LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Wigan Warriors showcased their strength in the Betfred Super League by reclaiming second place with a dominant 44-2 victory over Wakefield, largely thanks to Bevan French's return. French, who has been sidelined for seven weeks with a calf injury, brought a much-needed flair that the team had missed in his absence.
Despite their recent struggles, including four defeats in the last eight games, Wigan remains in contention for the League Leaders' Shield, sitting four points behind leaders Hull KR. French, named the 2023 Steve Prescott Man of Steel, celebrated his comeback with a milestone try-his 100th in Super League-and contributed significantly to three more scores.
This match marked French's first appearance since June 20, when Wigan faced a defeat against Wakefield while they aimed for a top-six playoff spot. However, the Trinity struggled at the outset, making several handling errors that hampered their game, while Wigan sought to recover from a challenging previous match against Hull KR.
French initiated Wigan's scoring after 16 minutes by assisting Adam Keighran's first try, then followed up eight minutes later by scoring Wigan's second try after the ball rebounded off the post and right into his grasp.