Wigan Warriors' fullback options ahead of Bradford Bulls tie with Bevan French and Jai Field sidelined
Wigan Warriors will be without their first-choice fullbacks Jai Field and Bevan French for a significant period of time due to injury.
Wigan were without fullback Field for their 36-16 win over Toulouse Olympique last weekend, with the Australian having his appendix removed early last week, and he is still set to be out for around four to five weeks while he recovers. The Warriors were dealt a further blow in the south of France as French left the action late on with a hamstring injury, with scans subsequently revealing that he will miss around 16 weeks.
The blows to Field and French – two of the best players in Super League, never mind just at Wigan – are an obvious blow to Matt Peet’s side. However, there are a couple of avenues Peet and Co could go down in terms of filling the void at fullback in the coming weeks. With that in mind, Wigan Today has taken a look at the options at Peet’s disposal as to how the Warriors could shape at fullback, starting with Friday’s fourth round Challenge Cup tie against Bradford Bulls at the Brick Community Stadium...
A debut for Noah Hodkinson?
On the face of it, this would perhaps seem like the most obvious choice. Hodkinson is an out-and-out fullback and would perhaps be next in line, given the injuries to Field and French.
The 20-year-old began his rugby league journey with Hindley ARLFC and Leigh Miners Rangers before progressing through the Warriors’ youth system. Hodkinson helped Wigan win the Academy Grand Final in 2023 and has been a regular for the reserves over the last couple of years.
Hodkinson was one of five academy graduates to earn a full-time contract ahead of the 2025 campaign, and he enjoyed a brief spell on loan with Championship club Widnes Vikings last season. The Bolton-born fullback, who is in his second year with the first-team, has worked closely with Field over the last 12 months and now seems as good a time as any for him to earn his first-team debut. He is an instinctive and skilful fullback with plenty of pace, and a good reader of the game.
Zach Eckersley to fullback?
Another choice to fill the void at fullback would be shifting the impressive Eckersley to the No. 1 role. He has played there a number of times before for the first-team and is comfortable playing anywhere along the backline.
The 22-year-old has made a strong start to life in the No. 2 shirt, with 10 tries to his name in five appearances so far in 2026. He also put around five kilos on over pre-season, and his frame now suits him as a modern-day winger, whilst retaining his blistering pace.
Would Peet want to change his backline, though? Time will only tell, but Eckersley’s versatility is no doubt a positive for Wigan.
Debuts for Dayon Sambou or Nathan Lowe?
If Eckersley was to move to fullback, that would open up a spot on the wing, which could mean potential debuts for Dayon Sambou and Nathan Lowe, both of whom Peet referenced as potential replacements for Field in his press conference. Sambou arrived from St Helens on a four-year contract in the off-season and has caught the eye for the reserves and on loan at Salford, with academy graduate Lowe doing the same.
Sambou, 20, made six first-team appearances for Saints, while spending time on loan at Halifax Panthers and North Wales Crusaders prior to his move to Wigan. He is primarily a winger who can also play centre, with speed to burn and strong yardage carries.
Lowe, 21, played his junior rugby for Leigh East and Wigan St Judes before coming through the Warriors’ youth ranks. He is in his second year with the first-team, and has already tasted Championship experience with Oldham and Salford on loan. Lowe boasts a big frame for an outside-back and is strong out of the backfield.
So while Field and French will be sorely missed during their time in the treatment room, the Warriors do have a number of options in terms of plugging the gap. As one door temporarily closes, another door opens.