It's pre-season. Would make sense try out different combinations. French at 6 and French at 1. Even more so now Gilly is injured.

Hardaker or French at full back are two excellent options. Whether Hardaker at centre will work is another matter but this is Lam's call.
He will get the credit if it works and take the criticism if it doesn't.

Nothing new for Hardacre to play centre as prior to being signed by Leeds, most of his games playing for Featherstone Rovers were in that position with some at full back and on the wing.

Hardaker played a lot of centre at Leeds also. His entire first season was as a centre

One challenge I think we’ll have if we move Hardaker to centre is getting him to enjoy it as much as fullback. I always get the sense he loves playing at fullback and has never seemed quite as up for it when I’ve seen him play at centre over his career. Hopefully the whole side will come out flying and if we can get guys like French, Hastings, Manfredi and Burgess playing their best rugby then the centres should have a field day.

To be fair mate who cares if he doesn’t enjoy it as much. He’s very lucky the club didn’t sack him last year for his drink driving before he even put a shirt on for us, so if he’s paid to play anywhere he should feel lucky to be able to do so whatever the position. If he doesn’t play well in another position then that’s on him.

It will be great to get a fully fit backline firing next season! As you say, if all goes well they should have a field day...some serious speed and talent in there!