Part of me wonders whether Penrith might go for him. They'll need a replacement for Luai - may replace from within but French and Cleary sounds pretty good to me.

I have been thinking the same, they had a bloody good look at him on Sat

If he does go back I hope he gets a gig at a big club like Penrith and playing at 6 (or 1) and not as some sort of utility back up at Wests/St George etc. This rubbish that lads like him and Field can't handle it physically got shown up on Saturday. I watched that bloke in a bar podcast and they spoke about how surprised they were that KPP looked like he could cope with the pace of the friendly against Melbourne. These Aussies genuinely think these lads are coming from a pub league, regardless of how many Grahams, Batemans, Hodgsons or Burgess brothers turn up and show it isn't all that different if you're a good player at a big club over here.

Transfer news........Just heard from good authority that Wigan have put a bid in for St Helens trophy cabinet as apparently it's no longer in use

French will be fantastic in the NRL. No doubt about it for me. Manly need a new half. An argument could be made for West Tigers and and Canberra too. He will have plenty of admirers. The nonsense posts about him not handling the physicality is just that. He clearly wants the challenge of the NRL and he deserves it too. Showed us loyalty staying for a couple more seasons and winning every trophy available along with the Man of Steel. He goes down as one of the best overseas signings we've ever made for me.

Saw a few comments today from NRL supporters that French was not taken seriously over there due him being scragged around like a rag doll on impact and taken back ten yards and that it would likely happen again if he ever came back.

Mysteriously, that didn't happen last Saturday, but never mind. They've always had this gift of the short memory in the NRL.

But hey, suits us. Let him stay.

Playing on the wing is very different to stand off in terms of carrying the ball up from your own line.

It might if he's played on the wing as he was for most of the time in his last stint. In fairness, I also remember one instance when French was heavily criticised for only making a single carry for the whole game (he may have been struggling with injury from memory).

Could be a decent fit, you would want to pair him with a controlling half so it works perfect. I always thought French and Field wouldn’t return to the NRL unless there was some big issues at home and they took a back up utility back role as full back is so stacked over there but now French has moved into the halves I think he could get a starting gig, halves is looking a little weak over there currently.

Depends on what they (Field & French) want to do with their careers

a. Be small fish in a big pond but on very decent money
or
b. Be club legends and multiple cup/championship winners in an 'inferior' league on less money (albeit it still more than most can dream of earning) but with more medals to look back on when they retire

I know what I would pick and I wish them well when they go back to the NRL

I get the impression not many in Australia are even aware that SL has a marquee player rule.

I would agree with you I would be amazed if either found a deal that comes anywhere near what they must be on now, sometimes the grass isn't greener on the other side.