Wigan Warriors player Bevan French has unfortunately been ruled out for roughly four months following a fairly serious muscle injury.
An important playmaker and cog in the wider team, his absence will surely be felt.
French, 30, is said to have suffered a hamstring tear during the win over Toulouse Olympique this past weekend, and while not as severe as a full rupture, Bevan has now been told by the club he will be sidelined for approximately 16 weeks, according to head coach Matt Peet.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after learning the news, he provided a number of updates from the physio room, including the latest on Jai Field, who French had been filling in for at fullback.
While Wigan are currently leading the Super League once again, they will be without one of their key Warriors with just under a dozen games left in the season.
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The Greater Manchester club’s quadruple-winning boss and former Coach of the Year admitted that, despite some obvious disappointments in the immediate aftermath, his “positive” and “philosophical” attitude has already kicked in.
He’s quite philosophical, Bevan. He quickly flips a switch.
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“Now he knows the timeframe and the schedule for his recovery, like most professionals, he can get his head down now and focus on the present”, said the 41-year-old.
The Australian stand-off/fly-half has regularly run the show in red and white, and even amid periods out of the squad, he remains an understandable fan favourite and integral part of the team when fit.
You only need to hear pundits and peers alike describing him as a “special” talent to know how much of a big miss he’ll be.
As mentioned, Peet also shed more light on Field, who dropped out with appendicitis last week and is himself set for around four to five weeks away.
For now, youngster Noah Hodkinson is being given the chance to fill the void and work his way into the first team after regularly impressing in the reserves.
Nevertheless, they could have really done with him ahead of their upcoming games.
Domestically, all three of Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and St Helens aren’t far behind them in the table, so it could prove to be a tasty remainder of the 2026 campaign.
You can watch the highlights from the result against Toulouse on Saturday, 7 March, here.
The Wigan chippy serving affordable fish suppers from the living room of a terraced house
Daisy Jackson
There’s a chippy in Leigh that’s got to be one of the most unique – and delightfully unchanged – takeaways in Greater Manchester.
Robbins J Chippy operates out of the front room of an ordinary-looking Wigan terrace, where it’s been serving affordable fish suppers since 1893.
The chip shop has passed through a few hands over the years, but has been operated by John Robbins for the last four decades.
This friendly local character welcomes in familiar faces every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, some of whom have been regulars since the 1960s.
This is Robbins J Chippy in Leigh / Credit: The Manc Group
And these locals who queue out the door from 11am will swear that Robbins is doing the best chips in the country – crispy, golden yellow, and fried right in front of you.
The tiny chip shop is a real time capsule, from the wood-panelled walls covered in flyers for local businesses and Liverpool FC memorabilia, to the prices.
A felt peg board displays a menu that also feels semi-trapped in the 80s – battered fish for £4, jumbo sausage for £1.20, a chip barm for £1.50.
There’s also the ‘Super Barm’, a giant butty of mushy peas, half a battered fish, half a jumbo sausage, and chips, drowned in salt and vinegar and served in a muffin, for just £2.50.
It’s a local institution and a right time capsule / Credit: The Manc Group
John makes all his own steak puddings – or ‘Babby’s yed’ (this is Wigan, after all) – steamed to perfection.
Not only does John live in the same building as Robbins J Chippy (you can see his living room from behind the counter), but his mum is just next door, even sharing the same phone line.
This is a proper Leigh institution that’s serving traditional fish and chips just like it used to be – just don’t come in a Manchester United top.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
Wigan
Manchester United and Lionesses star Ella Toone is now officially an MBE
Danny Jones
Man United Women and Lionesses star Ella Toone is now officially an MBE after collecting the award this week.
The Greater Mancunian has grown to become one of the most influential female players of the modern era, and now her impact has been immortalised by the monarchy.
Being recognised for services to the discipline on Tuesday, 19 May, the local athlete finally collected her accolade at Windsor Castle.
Presented to her by Prince William, the Tyldesley-born attacker said in a statement: “It’s been amazing. It’s a bit of a pinch-me moment to be here and be honoured with an MBE.
“I never thought when I started out playing football I’d now be called Ella Toone MBE, so it’s a bit crazy.”
Having suffered a tough time out with injury, the 26-year-old also insists she is now back feeling “better and stronger than ever.”
With Sarina Wiegman’s official squad selection for the qualifiers ahead of FIFA’s 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, she’s also looking forward to reuniting with her England teammates.
Here she is talking to Sky ahead of the games, not long after receiving the award:
"I've missed it so much, can't wait to be back with the girls" 🏴
Ella Toone is looking forward to meeting up with her England teammates next month for World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/K02nJbSkE0
Speaking back in December, she confessed that it’s all been “a bit mad” for her ever since she learned of the news, but her worthiness speaks for itself.
Winning not only back-to-back Euros titles with the national side, along with the first-ever UEFA Women’s Finalissima trophy in 2023, but also inspiring young kids dreaming of becoming footballers across the country and beyond.
Congratulations once again, ‘Tooney’ – beyond well-deserved.
Across the city, it’s great to see yet more groundbreaking investment in the women’s game being made for generations to come.
Danny Jones -
10th March 2026 
