Playing on the wing is very different to stand off in terms of carrying the ball up from your own line.

It might if he's played on the wing as he was for most of the time in his last stint. In fairness, I also remember one instance when French was heavily criticised for only making a single carry for the whole game (he may have been struggling with injury from memory).

Could be a decent fit, you would want to pair him with a controlling half so it works perfect. I always thought French and Field wouldn’t return to the NRL unless there was some big issues at home and they took a back up utility back role as full back is so stacked over there but now French has moved into the halves I think he could get a starting gig, halves is looking a little weak over there currently.

Depends on what they (Field & French) want to do with their careers

a. Be small fish in a big pond but on very decent money
or
b. Be club legends and multiple cup/championship winners in an 'inferior' league on less money (albeit it still more than most can dream of earning) but with more medals to look back on when they retire

I know what I would pick and I wish them well when they go back to the NRL

As much as the NRL is awash with money and a salary cap three times higher than ours, I’m not sure they would get more money over there than here. There is an arrogance to these Aussie clubs that would likely think either should be happy enough with squad player money and a spot fighting for a match day 17 place. I’d hazard a guess both would need to take a pay cut to go back.

I get the impression not many in Australia are even aware that SL has a marquee player rule.

I would agree with you I would be amazed if either found a deal that comes anywhere near what they must be on now, sometimes the grass isn't greener on the other side.

I don’t think Field would due to the endless numbers of top class fullbacks they have over there and seem to be able to produce year in year out.

If French continues to go well in the 5/8th role they will pay big money as they are struggling for depth across the NRL in comparison with most other positions.

The Aussies salary cap continues to grow but the playing personnel remains similar = more money going to the same players.

It was ever thus. The more money there is, the more everyone wants. It's human nature.

It would be the same over here if we raised our own salary cap, though it might keep a few more players in the British game, instead of seeing them automatically head overseas (or to Union) for the bigger payday.