In search of rugby's codebreakers

Harris, left, is almost certain to leave Leeds for Cardiff

By BBC Sport Online's Nic Andrews

When Leicester's Peter Wheeler said Super League clubs would defect to rugby union, his provocative remarks were rubbished by some of the sides allegedly involved.

But Henry Paul's defection to Gloucester and the peace deal brokered between the Rugby Football Union and leading clubs spells more trouble for the 13-man game.

"If they want a war, they can have one," Hull's Shane Richardson said on Tuesday.

"We'll be fighting as a minor nation because they have more money, but remember Vietnam?"

Money, however, is rugby league's problem as players spot the chance to double their wages.

BBC Sport Online profiles six league players certain to be the subject of lucrative union offers.

Iestyn Harris:

It is no longer a question of if but when for the Oldham-born 24-year-old.

Harris' grandfather played rugby union in Wales before heading north to switch codes in 1946.

"It is almost certain that one day Iestyn Harris will play rugby union in Wales but, as to when that will be, all things are possible," Harris's manager Tom Carroll said last month.

This was after a report that a deal has been hatched between the Welsh Rugby Union and Cardiff whereby they will share the cost of a £250,000 a year contract.

But Leeds are determined to put up a fight and have said their man is not for sale at any price.

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Keiron Cunningham:

Like Harris, Cunningham is a favourite target of Wales and British Lions coach Graham Henry.

As a result, the St Helens and Great Britain hooker has been the subject of repeated transfer speculation linking him to Swansea.

The problem is one of finance, with the Swansea directors struggling to come up with the cash and compensation to get him out of his current contract.

Saints' head coach Ian Millward said on Tuesday: "Swansea are still pussy-footing around but communications lines between us and Keiron are very open and we are hopeful that things will be resolved soon."

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Kris Radlinski:

"I'm pretty confident he will stay with us," Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay said on Wednesday when asked about Radlinski's potential departure.

That element of doubt, however, will set alarm bells ringing - with league fans as well as England's union full-backs Iain Balshaw and Matt Perry.

Radlinski could be the archetypal 21st-century union three-quarter

Radlinski's attraction is his versatility - he can play on the wing, in the centre or in his favoured position of full-back.

He is currently contracted to Wigan until the end of next season. Can they afford to keep him?

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Sean Long:

Like Harris and Radlinski, the St Helens and England scrum half has exactly the sort of attributes so widely admired by union clubs.

The increasingly stifling defensive tactics of the modern 15-man game put an ability to provide moments of inspiration at a premium.

A few well-placed crosskicks are just the sort of "game-breaking" option that rugby union is crying out for, and nobody employs them with more devastating effect in league than Long.

Even worse for fans of the 13-man code, Long has expressed an interest in switching codes - and his brother plays union for Orrell.

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Leon Pryce:

Rugby league's Young Player of the Year in 1999 cites Jason Robinson and Henry Paul as his two favourite players on the Bradford Bulls website.

There are many tipping the teenage utility back to follow his heroes across the great divide.

I am really happy to have finally sorted out my future

Leon Pryce

After all, Pryce was a union schoolboy international.

Rumours that he was a union target prompted Bradford to offer him a new two-year contract, which he signed in May, saying: "I am really happy to have finally sorted out my future."

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Kevin Sinfield:

Like Pryce, Sinfield has attracted the attention of England and Woodward.

Also like Pryce, he has recently signed a new contract, for four years with Leeds Rhinos.

"I am happy playing rugby league, and I will still be happy playing rugby league in four years," 21-year-old Sinfield said at the time.

Leeds Rhinos, however, are part of a joint operation with union side Leeds Tykes.

Could we have a situation where Sinfield moves from the Rhinos to the Tykes and his contract becomes part-paid by the RFU?

It is an intriguing possibility in a sport where the real intrigue is only just beginning.