Wigan Warriors youngster 'signs with NRL club'

Harry Rushton hasn't played in Wigan's first team

Rushton hasn’t yet played in the first-team but has already attracted the attention of Canberra Raiders.

And Australian journalist, The Mole, is reporting the 18-year-old has today signed a three-year deal.

A former Shevington Sharks and St Pats junior, the forward has played for England at academy level and has been tipped for a bright future in the game.

He was drafted into Adrian Lam's squad for their last game before the season was shut down, at Salford, in mid-March.

Ex-Warriors George Williams, John Bateman and Ryan Sutton are at Canberra, though all had established themselves in the first-team before making the switch.

NRL clubs are increasingly looking at the English game's youngsters, with Melbourne previously showing interest in prop Ethan Havard.

Morgan Smithies and Ollie Partington also attracted attention before signing new deals.

Frustratingly for Wigan, they would not receive a fee if Rushton joined the Raiders – but would have got compensation if he left for a Super League rival.