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16:21 GMT, Tuesday, 10 June 2008 17:21 UK

Celtic Crusaders plot Harris move

Iestyn Harris

Iestyn Harris could return to Wales and join the Celtic Crusaders - but only if the Welsh club win a Super League franchise, BBC Sport understands.

The 31-year-old star is considering his options as his Bradford Bulls contract expires at the end of the summer.

The Crusaders are one of 19 rugby league clubs who have applied for the 14 available Super League licences.

Harris was in Wales for three years when he switched to union where he played for Wales and Cardiff.

Harris signed for the Welsh Rugby Union and Cardiff from league giants Leeds in a high-profile £2m deal in 2001.

606: DEBATE
"Harris hasn't been the player he was at Leeds and the huge price tag doesn't help but he puts in 100% effort every week"
Lynch4England

But he returned to the 13-man code in the summer of 2004 in a controversial switch to former club Leeds' arch rivals Bradford Bulls.

Harris, who broke onto the big stage as a teenage wonderkid with Warrington before a record-breaking move to Leeds in 1997, is considering retiring from rugby after a 13-year playing career.

A number of Super League clubs are monitoring Harris' situation at Odsal and he is believed to have held initial informal talks with Crusaders chiefs.

Harris wants to continue in rugby once he finishes playing and there could be a possibility of him doing his coaching apprenticeship at Bradford.

The Crusaders will also offer the former Great Britain superstar a coaching position after a one-year playing stint at The Brewery Field should Harris decided to move back to Wales.

But the Crusaders would lose out on Harris if the Bridgend-based club fail to win a Super League franchise when the Rugby Football League announce their decision next month.



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Related to this story:

Leigh 22-45 Celtic Crusaders (08 Jun 08 |  Rugby League )
Bradford & Leeds end Harris feud (07 May 08 |  Rugby League )
Nineteen target Super League spot (02 Apr 08 |  Rugby League )
Harris retires from Britain duty (10 May 06 |  Rugby League )
Harris move approved (02 Jul 04 |  Bradford )
Harris confirms code switch (17 Jun 04 |  My Club )
Harris to make quick-fire debut (07 Nov 01 |  Rugby Union )
Cardiff complete Harris capture (10 Aug 01 |  Welsh-Scottish Rugby )

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