Harris set to return to rugby league
Iestyn Harris has moved a step closer to returning to rugby league after the Welsh Rugby Union revealed he wants to quit their code.
The Cardiff Blues centre could be poised to sign for Super League giants Bradford Bulls after instructing his solicitors to start negotiations to release him from his rugby union contracts this week.
WRU group chief executive David Moffett said: “We have had a letter from his lawyers, but haven’t heard anything from Iestyn himself.
“That is disappointing, but we have handed his letter to our lawyers.”
The 28-year-old’s WRU contract runs for another season, so he could still play union for Wales.
“We could hold him to playing for Wales, but I don’t think that is realistic, when, quite clearly, he wants to return to league,” said Moffett.
“He wants to go back – that is where we are currently.”
Moffett revealed the WRU would not get a penny out of Harris’ move.
“It is the most bizarre contract I have ever seen in my life,” he said.
“But we are bound by it. I am just flabbergasted that we agreed and signed a contract like this.
“But, as we now understand it, he is free to return to league. There isn’t much we can do about that under the contract which was signed.”
Harris, who switched codes from league to union in 2001, was thought to be returning to Leeds but with Bradford now a more likely long-term destination, they would probably have to pay compensation to their Super League neighbours.
