Im not sure problematic is the right word for a bloke who has probably been our most exciting player since he came in. He simply has to be in the 13 for me and the only problem is where he plays. I’d agree with NK that to write him off as a half is premature. A full preseason alongside Hastings and operating behind a far stronger pack could make a massive difference.

'The most exciting player since he came in' no ones comes in since him mate

But yes, I agree, playing off Hastings will give French a different platform for his game. For me French needs to be on the ball as a 1 or 6. For me it depends how we play.

Spot on Mr P!

If we can teach a couple of the props to bust a tackle or throw the odd offload with Hastings doing the bulk of the organising/playmaking role & French been used more as a runner/support player I'd imagine they'd be an absolute nightmare of an halfback pairing to play against, unfortunately for it to work all depends on the pack actually laying a platform & getting abit of a roll on up middle to take advantage of broken defensive line/tired retreating defenders. Zak might even become abit more of a threat chiming in then with some doubt in the defence

I didn’t label him problematic, I labelled his signing problematic and you’ve literally proved my point in your response with “the only problem is where he plays”.

He plays FB he pushes Zak to centre and Bibby is pushed out
He plays wing he’s pushing any one of our wingers out
He plays HB he pushes out Tommy (not a bad thing) and Harry Smith

I’ve already stated that I like French, he’s speedy and agile. Give him a yard of space and he’s away. I’d rather we had him than any other SL side but that adoration for him doesn’t necessarily transfer into an automatic playing spot.

So he adds competition in numerous places; sounds like a good signing to me.

Spot on. It’s a great problem to have!

A positive side effect I agree but I still stand by what I said.

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Dont think we need to worry about that with George Burgess. Pretty sure he will be skittling a good few next season.

What's so terrible about playing French on the wing?

He’d done more then fine there but I think the issue is that the club has told him they’re signing him to play closer to the action. He spoke himself about wanting to play fullback for Parra and not being happy on the wing and when you consider the noise from Lam about how his role will be different next season then you would doubt we’ll see him wide.

I think 'side effect' is a little off mate. It's more of a compliment on how versatile French is meaning he can adapt and play in numerous positions across the back line. Having such adaptability and skill surely highlights a great signing.

Personally I want French on the ball, as a 6 (in the right system) or as a 1. But if he ends up dislodging a winger cos he's playing better, then so be it. It's upto them to step up; that's exactly the position you want to be in with your squad.

side effect... not so sure bud.

For me there is absolutely no chance French is a 6.

Given our squad next year he needs to be on the wing.

He won’t play on the wing, the whole reason he left Parra was because he didn’t want to play winger, why would he travel to the other side of the world just to do the exact same in a weaker comp

He’s playing full back or stand off without any doubt. The club will just have to decide which one and how the puzzle fits together.