Star Harris could switch codes

Iestyn Harris yesterday dropped the broadest hint that he will follow his pal, new Lions sensation Jason Robinson, into rugby union before the end of the year.

Speculation is rife that the Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain star - one of the finest utility backs in rugby league - has agreed a move in the autumn to play for Cardiff and Wales.

The 25-year-old pledged his future to Leeds and league until December 2003 only 18 months ago when ambitious plans for the rugby league World Cup were on the table. He turned his back on a £1.5million offer from union after six months of deliberation to sign a four-year contract with the Rhinos.

But now he admits: 'I just want to focus on the short term, until the end of this season, rather than the remaining two-and-a-half years of my contract.' The Wales RU is believed to be ready to pay Leeds Rhinos £500,000 to buy out Harris's contract.