Bevan French details Wigan Warriors ambition amid trip to Las Vegas

Bevan French has revealed that Wigan Warriors’ lofty ambitions are one of the reasons he has committed his long-term future to the club.

Wigan are riding the crest of a wave under head coach Matt Peet, with the Warriors currently holding all four available trophies: the Super League title, League Leader’s Shield, Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge.

And earlier this week, it was announced that Wigan and neighbors Warrington Wolves will take a Super League game to Las Vegas in 2025 as part of the NRL’s US venture, which began in March.

The Warriors are an ambitious club, having previously taken games to Wollongong, Millwall and now Las Vegas, while holding a number of events throughout the season to engage with the local community in the borough.

“I had aspirations of Super League one day to go there but I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly to be honest,” French told the Manchester press after the announcement on Tuesday morning.

“I had no idea Rads was behind it all, so credit to Rads. I spoke about the ambition of the club that the Rads and Matty have, one of the reasons I wanted to stay, so you can’t question his ambition and his commitment to it: not only to Wigan but to the whole of Super League.

“This is just the cherry on top. Speaking to the club they have always been ambitious and the Rads and Matty in particular have always spoken about wanting to grow the game and do whatever it takes to grow the game in England.

“Obviously I love silverware and all that stuff becomes contagious, but the ambition to grow and try new things also played a part in locking me in (to a long-term business).

“You always have aspirations to go there, but it happened so quickly. As a player, it’s exciting to be given the platform and opportunity to raise your game. I am excited.”

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Wigan Warriors ace Bevan French on American Super League dream: ‘It’s definitely a privilege’

NRL Las Vegas’ five-year plan kicked off earlier this year with more than 40,000 people in attendance at Allegiant Stadium, which hosted this year’s Super Bowl.

French watched this year’s Las Vegas show from his living room on TV, but a year later he and his Wigan side will take center stage in the States as they take on local rivals Warrington.

“It was crazy, the atmosphere in the stadium,” French said of this year’s event.

“You can see the style of play they wanted to entertain rather than (being) a normal game of rugby where it’s kind of building a grind. It was more of a free-flowing game of rugby and with the two teams coming up from Super League it probably suits us and Warrington. The style of play will be great to play there and also the new crowd to play in that stadium will hopefully be great.

“It’s something you can tell your grandkids about, playing your first Super League game in Las Vegas. It’s definitely a privilege.”

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