Rugby League: Bradford and Harris Get Boost From Lords
The battle between Leeds and Bradford over Iestyn Harris' controversial move could soon be resolved after a House of Lords ruling.
Iestyn Harris and Bradford have received a boost from an unusual source ahead of Sunday's derby against Leeds in Cardiff courtesy of a House of Lords legal ruling.
The long-running legal battle between the Yorkshire heavyweights over Harris's controversial decision to return from rugby union with Bradford rather than Leeds in 2004 has been deadlocked since July 2005 pending the result of a similar dispute involving Mainstream Properties Ltd. But on Wednesday the law lords ruled against Mainstream, easing fears that Bradford and Harris could be liable to pay Leeds far more compensation than the £64,000 legal costs which the Rhinos have already been awarded.
Neither club was willing to comment yesterday but sources at each confirmed that the case is now expected to reach a swift conclusion at the high court, with talks between both parties and their lawyers due within the next six weeks.
That will be a relief to Harris, whose appearance in the last of the six Super League fixtures being played at the Millennium Stadium this weekend will be his first at the ground since he won the last of his 25 union caps for Wales in a 44-10 win against Italy in March 2004.
Lesley Vainikolo has also been included in the Bulls squad even though his move to union with Gloucester moved a step closer yesterday when his fellow New Zealand wing Tame Tupou confirmed that he has agreed a four-year contract with Bradford. Vainikolo is still likely to stay at Odsal until the end of May, with the club hoping he will be able to sign off in style in the home game against Harlequins on May 27. Tupou is ineligible for Bradford's Challenge Cup tie at Wakefield on Sunday week although if the Bulls win he will be able to play in the later rounds of the competition.
Celtic Crusaders hope to launch the Millennium Magic weekend and mark the centenary of rugby league in Wales by pulling two points clear at the top of National League Two tonight in Bridgend. They play Oldham, who visited Merthyr Tydfil for the first ever professional game in Wales in 1907.
The long-running legal battle between the Yorkshire heavyweights over Harris's controversial decision to return from rugby union with Bradford rather than Leeds in 2004 has been deadlocked since July 2005 pending the result of a similar dispute involving Mainstream Properties Ltd. But on Wednesday the law lords ruled against Mainstream, easing fears that Bradford and Harris could be liable to pay Leeds far more compensation than the £64,000 legal costs which the Rhinos have already been awarded.
Neither club was willing to comment yesterday but sources at each confirmed that the case is now expected to reach a swift conclusion at the high court, with talks between both parties and their lawyers due within the next six weeks.
That will be a relief to Harris, whose appearance in the last of the six Super League fixtures being played at the Millennium Stadium this weekend will be his first at the ground since he won the last of his 25 union caps for Wales in a 44-10 win against Italy in March 2004.
Lesley Vainikolo has also been included in the Bulls squad even though his move to union with Gloucester moved a step closer yesterday when his fellow New Zealand wing Tame Tupou confirmed that he has agreed a four-year contract with Bradford. Vainikolo is still likely to stay at Odsal until the end of May, with the club hoping he will be able to sign off in style in the home game against Harlequins on May 27. Tupou is ineligible for Bradford's Challenge Cup tie at Wakefield on Sunday week although if the Bulls win he will be able to play in the later rounds of the competition.
Celtic Crusaders hope to launch the Millennium Magic weekend and mark the centenary of rugby league in Wales by pulling two points clear at the top of National League Two tonight in Bridgend. They play Oldham, who visited Merthyr Tydfil for the first ever professional game in Wales in 1907.
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