Why six-day trip home turned into three months for Bevan French

The livewire full-back had been given permission to travel home after Wigan’s last match before lockdown in March, against Salford.

But he was planning to return for their next scheduled match against Catalans – only for the coronavirus pandemic to escalate while he was on a flight home.

The 25-year-old said: “I was only supposed to be going back for six days for some family stuff.

“But when I landed, I checked my phone and saw that everything had blown up.

“Apparently three hours after I landed was the cut-off time, so I was quite lucky in that sense.

“Six days turned into four months.”

Family tragedy inspired French's flag gestureNow back in England and preparing for Sunday’s clash with Leeds, he admits he may have struggled had he spent lockdown here on his own.

“From what I’ve seen, lockdown in the UK was more intense than in Australia, and being here by myself without seeing anyone for three or four months would have driven me crazy,” said French, who scored a try in the 23-22 win against Wakefield last Sunday.

“I did quite a bit of running and I was doing weights in my garage until the gyms reopened back home, but it was good to get back with the lads.”