Bevan French showered in praise after record-breaking night with Wigan Warriors

Matty Peet paid a rich tribute to Bevan French after the Wigan Warriors winger rewrote the Super League record books with an amazing seven-try haul. The 26-year-old was simply unstoppable as he smashed a 17-year record in the 60-0 home win over hapless Hull FC.

In September 2005, legendary Bradford winger Lesley Vainikolo scored six tries in a 49-6 win over Hull FC. Yet he was upstaged last night by Aussie star French, who claimed four first-half tries and then bagged three more early in the second period.

Head coach Peet said: “Bevan has been great for us for a while and tonight he did some special things. It was a chance for him to showcase the talent that he’s got and that’s what we love about him.

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“He’s got so much ability and he does so much selfless stuff – his team-mates love and he’s a pleasure to work with on a daily basis. He got everything he deserved tonight and I feel like a fan watching him. He scored seven tries – and seven high-quality tries – but he does a lot of unselfish things as well.”

Significantly, French is out of contract at the end of the season and Wigan fans begged him to sign a new deal. “Bevan French, we want you to stay” was the chant from the raucous home stands.

All of French’s finishes came in the right corner and Aussie team-mate Jai Field, who weighed in with tries, also enjoyed a brilliant game. Field’s neat passes sent French over for his first two and then Field got on the scoresheet himself before French added two more before the break.

French then scored another three tries in 12 second-half minutes, a period which saw Field grab his second. French was replaced to a standing ovation