Harris denies vendetta claims
February 15, 2002

Wales' big money rugby league recruit Iestyn Harris has rubbished claims by a Welsh newspaper that a vendetta being waged against him in Welsh rugby.

The allegation attributed to Harris, who has been dropped to the bench for the latest Six Nations clash, appeared in the Welsh Mirror, for whom Harris himself regularly writes.

In a statement issued via the Welsh Rugby Union, the Cardiff and Wales player said the remarks attributed to him were untrue.

Harris said: "I want to make clear my views in relation to a recent story that has appeared about me in the Welsh Mirror newspaper.

"Firstly, I deny ever saying there is a vendetta against me. That is not the case. I am naturally disappointed to have been left out of the Welsh team for this weekend's international, but I fully understand the coaches' reasons for putting me on the bench.

"As I have made clear many times, these are still very early days for me in rugby union and I have always believed there is a lot for me to learn.

"The Welsh public have been very supportive of me and I feel they understand the difficulties that I have faced in making the switch to rugby union.

"I can assure all Welsh rugby fans that I am determined to be a success in rugby union and I am looking forward to working with my coaches to enable me to fulfil my potential."

A spokesman for the Welsh Rugby Union said: "Iestyn has already made a major impact on the Welsh rugby scene since he first played for Cardiff in October and he has a big future ahead of him in his new game. The WRU is completely behind him."

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