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.

I don’t think Field would due to the endless numbers of top class fullbacks they have over there and seem to be able to produce year in year out.

If French continues to go well in the 5/8th role they will pay big money as they are struggling for depth across the NRL in comparison with most other positions.

The Aussies salary cap continues to grow but the playing personnel remains similar = more money going to the same players.