Wigan Warriors star and Man of Steel winner Bevan French is inching toward a return to the NRL with the Super League favourite hinting that a move could be closer than ever.

French will line up against the Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge and is off contract at Wigan at the end of the year.

“I came over here with the goal of wanting to get back to the NRL one day”, French told NRL.com.

“It’s important you’ve got to.. I guess.. pick the right timing as well.

‘If you do go back, it’s sort of your last shot so everything’s got to fall into place, the way you want it to [and] to be able to do that.

“It’s a great opportunity to test yourself against an NRL premiership team [Penrith].

“That’s not to say it’s.. I’ll probably be more impressed with myself if I stay level-headed and consistent and not get a rush of blood because it’s a NRL premiership-winning team.”