Bevan French returns as Wigan Warriors face Hull FC

After Challenge Cup success at the weekend, Matt Peet’s attention turns to facing Hull FC at the DW Stadium on Thursday night, as the Warriors look to continue their impressive start to 2022.

With just one loss all season coming away to Catalans Dragons, Wigan have been far more impressive and threatening in attack since the turn of the year and will be hoping for success when the season reaches its later stages.

They overcame a poor Salford Red Devils side last weekend in the Challenge Cup and have been drawn against Wakefield Trinity in the quarter-finals of the competition, with the final due to be held at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the end of May.

FC have made a decent start to the 2022 campaign, losing only two games so far against Castleford Tigers and St Helens. The Yorkshire side have won their last three games. The latest being on the road as they avoided a possible ‘banana skin’ result beating Betfred Championship side Sheffield Eagles 58-12 at the Millennium Stadium.

With a strong and professional performance, Hull were drawn against Huddersfield Giants after the Giants defeated the Barrow Raiders to set up an all-Yorkshire tie in the Quarter-final.

With Brett Hodgson’s side impressing so far this season at the MKM stadium, they will be ready for the challenge of facing the Warriors despite the prospect of facing Bevan French once again.

French hasn’t played a single game for the Cherry and Whites since May 2021 after suffering a hamstring injury, therefore Peet isn’t expecting too much as the Australian makes a slow and steady return to action.

Ian Thornley is also back in contention after returning from injury whilst Brad Singleton is back in the squad after completing his suspension.

However, it wasn’t all good news from Matt Peet’s press conference as Kai Pearce-Paul has been ruled out for ‘months’ after suffering a torn ligament in his abductor against Salford on Friday night.

As for the Visitors to the DW on Thursday evening, they’ve made a number of changes with Luke Gale and Kane Evans both returning from suspension, while Darnell McIntosh also returns having recovered from a calf injury.

With a win for FC able to push the Black and Whites above Wigan in the table, Hodgson has his side in fine form heading into the encounter which is set up for a brilliant game of Rugby League in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

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