Iestyn Harris says a move to Celtic Crusaders is possible

Iestyn Harris is relishing the chance to help rebuild Welsh rugby league, but has ruled out a Test comeback.

However, he could join Bridgend-based Celtic Crusaders next season.

Harris said: "Joining the Crusaders is possible, but it's early days. Maybe in a month or so I can start to think about next year.

"But I'm 32 next week, wouldn't be around for Wales at the next World Cup and would be standing in someone else's way and that would not be fair."

The ex-Leeds captain and current Bradford stand-off on Wednesday joined a new-look coaching regime headed by Celtic Crusaders boss John Dixon.

Harris's international swansong came in an 18-16 win over Scotland in Glasgow in November that was not quite good enough to secure Wales a trip to Australia.

He retired from Great Britain duties two years ago and ruled out lining up for Wales against England on October 10 in a match arranged to give the hosts match practice ahead of their opening World Cup game a fortnight later.

Harris said: "The likes of myself and Keiron Cunningham have had our time and now there's an opportunity for younger kids to come through."

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Harris, who is out of contract at Bradford at the end of the season, will cut his coaching teeth under the experienced Dixon and alongside a former Wales team-mate, Justin Morgan, the current Hull KR boss.

Part of Dixon's remit is to identify and develop future Wales international coaches and Harris admits he has ambitions to one day coach his country.

"I've been involved with Wales rugby league for 13 or 14 years and played under some quality coaches - the likes of Clive Griffiths - and maybe in the long-term to have a chance to coach Wales would be up there as one of my top achievements," he said.

"But at this early stage, it's a great opportunity to learn from a good coach and a good person. It's my first step on the coaching ladder and it's a really good set-up.

Not being in the World Cup meant we had to reassess what we wanted to achieve in the next four or five years and we need to start building for the future Iestyn Harris

"It's a great honour and something I'm looking forward to, helping to re-establish Wales as a fighting force."

Harris won 25 Wales caps during his three-year stint in rugby union with Cardiff and was a member of the Welsh team that reached the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals in 1995 and 2000.

Since the formation of the Crusaders in 2005, 30 Wales-born and bred players have played for the first team, with an additional 22 Wales-born players aged 22 and under representing feeder team Crusaders Colts.

The Bridgend-based club are vying with Salford, Widnes and Toulouse for one of two vacancies when Super League is expanded to 14 teams from 2009.