The 18-year-old player and his partner of two years, Lauren Boyd, also 18, are proud parents of little Brooke Elizabeth Westerman who was born at 4.12am last Wednesday at Pontefract General Infirmary.

The tot was born just four hours after Lauren went into labour and weighed 8lb 10oz.

Joe said: “It was very quick – it took Lauren about six minutes to deliver her. We went to hospital at about midnight and the doctors said she would probably be born later that morning but Lauren gave birth about an hour after they said that.”

The talented loose forward – who signed a new four-year deal with the Tigers earlier this month – said he loves fatherhood.

He said: “Being a dad is brilliant. When you wake up in the morning it’s just totally different. You just think about her and no one else.

“When you play rugby, everything is about rugby – you live and dream it. But now I play rugby but live and dream her.”

Tigers’ fans can rest assured Joe’s performance on the pitch will not be affected by sleepless nights thanks to Lauren.

He said: “Lauren is great and stays up with Brooke during the night while I sleep, which is very good of her. Then I get up and look after her till about noon, while Lauren sleeps.

“It was a big shock knowing we were going to be parents at 18, but I’m so glad of it now.”