Bevan French: Where Does the Wigan Sensation Rank Among Super League’s Best Dual-Position Aces?
Wigan Warriors’ Bevan French has been nothing short of scintillating in both the half-back and full-back positions over the past few weeks, firmly cementing his status as one of the premier talents in Super League. But where does the Australian ace rank among the greatest players to have excelled in both roles in the competition’s history?
We’ve handpicked eight players who fall into that illustrious category and pitted them against each other to determine French’s standing among the all-time greats. Interestingly, two other current Super League stars also feature in this definitive ranking.
8. Stefan Ratchford (Warrington Wolves)
At 36 years old, Warrington captain Ratchford is the ultimate utility man, able to slot in seamlessly across multiple positions as required by head coach Sam Burgess. The eight-time England international has featured a remarkable 338 times for the Wire, the fourth-most of any player in the Super League era, after initially making 108 appearances for Salford.
7. Luke Dorn (London Broncos, Salford, Castleford)
The first overseas player on this list, Australian Dorn amassed over 250 Super League appearances during his career. Prior to arriving in the British game, the New South Wales native had featured 38 times in the NRL, before going on to star for London Broncos, Salford, and Castleford, scoring an impressive 170 tries in Super League.
6. Jonny Lomax (St Helens)
St Helens captain Lomax is now an established half-back and one of the best in the league, but he first burst onto the scene as a full-back. The 33-year-old has made 340 senior appearances for the Red V, the sixth-most in the Super League era, and has also earned 15 international caps for England and Great Britain, winning four consecutive Super League titles between 2019 and 2022.
5. Leon Pryce (Bradford, St Helens, Hull FC, Catalans)
Pryce, 42, edges out Lomax on the basis of his remarkable career achievements, which include over 500 appearances, 200-plus tries, and 19 major honors, including four Super League titles. The Bradford-born utility back’s versatility and longevity at the top level are truly impressive.
4. Iestyn Harris (Leeds, Warrington, Bradford)
The £350,000 transfer fee that Leeds paid to acquire Harris from Warrington in 1997 was a testament to his immense talent. The Oldham-born playmaker went on to command a £1.5 million move to rugby union outfit Cardiff, further underscoring his elite status. Harris made over 250 top-flight appearances, winning a Grand Final and a Challenge Cup final with the Rhinos.
3. Henry Paul (Wigan, Bradford, Gloucester)
As a dual-code star, Paul left a significant impact on both rugby league and rugby union. The Kiwi native represented New Zealand in two Rugby League World Cups and also featured for England in the Six Nations through his Liverpudlian grandfather. Despite his union commitments, Paul still managed over 250 appearances in British rugby league, including more than 200 in Super League, winning three Grand Finals.
2. Bevan French (Wigan Warriors)
The player who inspired this ranking, French, has established himself as one of Super League’s finest-ever overseas acquisitions. The Wigan Warriors star only made the switch into the halves midway through last season, yet still won the coveted Man of Steel award. With over 100 appearances in the British game and a trophy cabinet that already includes everything there is to win, French’s future looks incredibly bright.
1. Sam Tomkins (Wigan, Catalans)
In the opinion of our panel, Tomkins is the best player to have excelled at both full-back and in the halves in Super League history. The two-time Man of Steel winner was still bossing it last year for Catalans at the age of 34, showcasing his enduring brilliance. With 222 tries in 352 career appearances in the British game, 29 England caps, and experience in both the NRL and rugby union, Tomkins’ all-round credentials are unparalleled.
🔗 Source
