But we have something very special here and although it's early he could be the best foreign import ever. My god what a joy to watch. Next season is going to be an incredible journey (hopefully)

Too early to be making that sort of call IMO. No doubt he is a talent, his 2nd and 3rd tries tonight he had no right to score whatsoever but his footwork got him over the line. Let’s just wait and see, if he carries on the way he is then you’ll be shown to be right.

I know, I am 34 so was brought up on the glory and of all the players that passed through, Robinson was the one that had me on the edge of my seat every game. His ability to create things from a standing start even on his own goal line had me in anticipation that something could happen every time he got the ball. French is giving me that same excitement. I am probably being a bit OTT but the similarities are right there for all to see.

Really exciting player - I cringe at the thought of him playing at halfback. He needs the ball in space as much as possible and that should mean full back or wing.

The (not given) try he didn’t quite ground a few weeks ago - I forget who against - had all the hallmarks of Robinson. The lad is a talent

We should be packing the DW to the rafters next season. With Hastings, French added to our existing back line and Burgess coming in to bolster the pack we should be a force to be reckoned with.

There's something very John Ferguson about this lad.

One of those rare players who make you expect something to happen whenever he's got the ball.

One piece of play that really caught my eye was an attempt to get out of his in goal area to try and avoid giving a drop out away. It was in the first half. He didn’t quite manage it and ended up going in to touch but his balance and footwork to even get close was mesmerising.

He’s going to be fantastic to watch these next few seasons you fancy.

I agree with you completely. Some of the things he did and was doing tonight was utterly mesmerising. Perhaps it was my pessimism coming out rather than optimism but I do like to just see how the lad fares in his second season.

The signs and promise is there though undoubtedly

I would say he is more like John Ferguson than Jason Robinson but both were very good to watch .

We should never have signed him. He can’t get a game for Parramatta remember!! Lots of egg on lots of faces already. Absolutely electric.

Agreed.

He isn’t a half.

Keep him on the flanks.

Similar traits to chicka
If hes half as good hell be a blinder

But saying that, let's wait till hes played against a good un first like Regan Grace (which emoji shall I pick for this?)

After seeing him in the flesh I’m also inclined to agree. Winger or full back.

That doesn’t half add some selection problems though for Lam. An already overstocked wing and FB department with Bibby set to join? It makes me wonder why we’ve bothered signing Bibby to be honest. I can’t see the sense in it.

Bibby has been signed as a centre, the club are pushing that in it’s promotion of next season.

Not sure it would be to Hardakers liking but I think the best bet for the team next season will be him at right centre and French using that pace and unbelievable feet from fullback. A 1-7 below is mouthwatering!

French, Manfredi, Hardaker, Gildart, Marshall, Leuluai, Hastings.

We’d then have Burgess, Davies, Bibby, Hankinson, Harry Smith etc waiting in the wings.

I think I'd stick with Hardaker at FB, safe as houses there. Plus think of the space Hastings will give him next season.

Let Marshall, French & Burgess fight it out for the wing spots.

Manfredi & Davies, we can hope they come back good but never guaranteed.

I suppose so.

I agree though, are 1-7 does look mouthwatering for 2020. Where I will disagree though is moving Hardaker from FB. Defensively and offensively he’s been outstanding and more than deserves that #1 shirt. I’d put French on the wings partnering Burgess/Manfredi personally.

Zak, French, Bibby/Hankinson, Gildart, Burgess/Manfredi, TL/Smith, Hastings

Whichever way you put those names into formation it’s a formidable back line

Hardaker is a safe option at the back for sure but I do still feel like we need a bit more in attack from him. He looks a yard down on pace from that 2017 season at Cas but maybe with a full pre season behind him and as pointed out, Hastings to pull the strings and create space, we could see that come back.

Ultimately it’s scary options to have. To have to decide between French or Hardaker at fullback, Burgess, Manfredi, Marshall or Davies on the wings and so on is just brilliant. We should be great to watch next year whoever pulls on the starting shirts.

One things for sure, it allows us strength in depth. Is Sammut signed up for next year or just this?

Don't forget we have the Escare (remember him anyone) situation to deal with as well, oh if only someone could take him off our hands, very much surplus to requirements... And very costly too I believe.

His balance, step and turn of pace had me thinking about Amos Roberts 2010. Literally untouchable.

Outstanding tonight. Went round people as if they weren't there and literally left them grasping at thin air!

Where I disagree with some on here is I think he'll thrive in the middle running off Hastings who operates both sides of the field and makes gaps for fun. Not that French seems to actually need gaps mind...

Maybe a lesson for those who hadn’t seen him play voicing an opinion without any evidence to back up their comments. Didn’t someone say he was 10/1 to be the next Dennis Moran something like that? I do wonder if that person had seen French play in the NRL.

Looks like he’s had an effect on Tommy as well. Tommy looked like Chikka Ferguson dancing round people for his try.

Pretty sure Sammut is signed up for next season too. I honestly can’t see a spot for him, even with an injury to one of our halves we’ve got young Harry Smith to step in. It’d have to be a proper injury crisis for him to get a look in. Same with Escare, which I think is a shame as he is a decent player. Just lacks that game intelligence which would probably make him a near certain starter.

I don’t remember the negative comments to be honest but I agree they’re looking very silly now. Some of our greatest signings have been NRL cast offs.

He's going to frighten the opposition no matter where he plays in the back line.
The defensive line will always have to be on their toes when facing a player who can step and move like he can.

But where to play him? Depends on how we structure the team. If we're splitting the halves he looks like a fb for me. But then you have the dilemma of what to do with Zak. For me I imagine French to be more of an attacking threat than Zak, but Zak is a better defense fb. Zak is the best defensive fb we've had since Rads.

If we're looking at more of an 'old school' 6 and 7 give French a go at playing off Hastings. Can you imagine the pace and strike our back line will possess with French running off Hastings with the likes of Gilly, Manfredi, Marshall, Burgess and Zak outside of him.

I don't want to see French as a play maker as such. He's a strike weapon. He shouldn't be putting others through gaps, he's the one to put put through the gap.