Breaking today: Wigan Warriors miss someone more than Jai Field and he’s injured for a while
While much of the recent attention around Wigan Warriors has understandably focused on the absence of Jai Field, the reigning Super League champions are quietly feeling the loss of another key figure even more—and he too is set to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.
That player is Bevan French, a game-changer whose impact goes beyond statistics. Though Field’s pace and agility have left a noticeable gap in Wigan’s attacking setup, it’s French’s vision, versatility, and ability to create something from nothing that the side is struggling to replace the most. And now, with both stars out due to injury, the Warriors face an uphill battle to maintain their rhythm through the mid-season grind.
French, who picked up a muscle injury during Wigan’s recent win over Catalans Dragons, is expected to be out for several weeks, with head coach Matt Peet confirming that the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. While Jai Field’s hamstring injury had already limited the team’s explosive edge, French’s absence now leaves the Warriors without two of their most dynamic weapons.
“Bevan’s influence on and off the ball is massive,” Peet admitted in a post-match interview. “He reads the game like few others do. Of course we miss Jai, but Bevan’s form this season has been exceptional. Losing him is a real blow.”
Wigan’s recent performances reflect the strain of missing their most creative outlets. In the narrow win against Hull KR and the scrappy draw with Leeds, their attack lacked fluidity and that trademark cutting edge. Without Field’s speed and French’s game management, Wigan have become more predictable, relying heavily on grinding out results rather than blowing teams away as they did earlier in the season.
The timing of these injuries couldn’t be worse. With a congested fixture list ahead, including the highly anticipated Challenge Cup semi-final, Wigan will need others to step up. Players like Harry Smith, Liam Marshall, and Abbas Miski now have the chance to shoulder more responsibility in the playmaking department.
But replacing what French and Field bring to the table isn’t easy. Both players possess the rare ability to turn defence into attack in an instant. They shift momentum, unsettle defences, and lift the crowd with moments of magic. That X-factor is what’s currently missing from the Warriors’ game.
Still, the Wigan camp remains optimistic. “It’s a challenge, but this team has depth,” Peet insisted. “We’re not defined by one or two players. We’re a club built on resilience, and we’ll adapt.”
Even so, fans will be counting the days until either French or Field can make a return. And while both absences are felt deeply, it’s clear that Wigan are missing French’s leadership and flair more than they perhaps expected.
