French to get first shot at Eels No.1

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has confirmed Bevan French will get the first crack at the Eels' vacant fullback role in 2017.

While Arthur had last year indicated he wanted French to play at the back, the recruitment of Josh Hoffman from the Gold Coast had led to suggestions the former Titan had been earmarked for the No.1 jersey.

But Arthur said on Wednesday that his plans were still for 21-year-old French to fill the custodian role following the departure of Michael Gordon to the Sydney Roosters.

"Bevan will get the first opportunity at fullback," Arthur told Sky Sports Radio.

"He's trained all pre-season there."

French shot onto the scene at last year's Auckland Nines, and scored 19 tries in just 13 NRL games after debuting in round 11.

He played the majority of the season on the wing, before shifting to start at fullback in round 25 - scoring six tries in his final two games there.

Arthur believes that with a full pre-season training for the position - under the eye of new trainer Ron Palmer - French is ready to slot into the No.1 jersey on a full-time basis.

"Fullbacks clock up the most kilometres in the game so they do a lot of running. So we've had a big focus with Bev in terms of his work at training," Arthur said.

"Clint Gutherson is probably our stand-out in terms of the fitness component part of it, Bevan is trying really hard to get up there with him."

Arthur reiterated he expected Semi Radradra to be a part of the club's backline following his February court appearance on domestic violence charges, prior to leaving the NRL at the end of 2017 for French rugby club Toulon.

"We know what the future holds for him now," Arthur said.

"He's made a decision and it is a business and players come and go whether they're moved on by the club or they make a call on what's best for them."

"He's committed to 2017, he wants nothing more than for us to be successful."