THE famous Mossop name in Millom rugby league has its next star, after teenager Astin signed a deal to join Wigan Warriors.

The 15-year-old is the son of former Warrington player Andrew – better know as Biff – and nephew of ex-Barrow man Steve and highly-rated amateur Clive. All three were amateur internationals.

He is also the cousin of current Raiders Nathan and Bradd Crellin, and is now making his own strides after joining the scholarship programme with the Super League giants at the DW Stadium.

Astin is following in some fine family footsteps, with Biff admitting he has the game in his DNA, having started out at Millom as an under-eights player and gone right through the age-groups at Devonshire Road.

“It's in the DNA, I'm afraid, when you're a Mossop from Millom,” said Biff of the young second-rower, who has grown-up a Warrington fan because of his dad's past with the Wolves. “We've all played – myself, Clive and Steve – so I think he was destined for it.”

He added: “He started out at Millom at under-eights and has gone all through the ages.

“He had a bit of talent from early on. I know he's my own, but you can see that they are going to do something.

“Wigan had a look at him and he went down there a couple of times last year, and they have just monitored him and keeping in touch to let us they were watching him.

“They invited him down again and now they have taken the lad on as a scholarship player.”

Astin is the third South Cumbrian to be signed up by Wigan in recent years.

Dalton's Liam Paisley – part of the all-conquering Dowdales School team – is an established presence in the Academy, while Barrow Island's Adam Ford was snapped up last year.

The Millom School pupil trains with Wigan every Monday and Wednesday, and Biff is thrilled he has been given the chance with the Warriors.

“We're all thrilled to bits, it was a proud moment,” he said. “He has worked hard, he trains like mad – he eats, drinks and sleeps rugby league.

“It's a credit to him. I've never pushed him, I've always said that if he wants to play, then play. It's a tough sport, you will get bumped around, but he has stuck in, got his head down, and he is doing all-right.

“They have him on the right programme at Wigan with the weights and diet, so fingers crossed for how it goes.

“They're very good down there. They make sure he is toeing the line at school as well, it's a great set-up.”