By Phil Gordos

Hopefully they can carry this form right the way through and, come the next World Cup, be a formidable outfit Iestyn Harris

As Wales close in on their first Grand Slam triumph since 1978, Iestyn Harris insists he was right to turn his back on the Principality and return to rugby league.

Harris was hailed as the saviour of Welsh rugby union following his high-profile code switch in August 2001.

But three years and 25 caps later, he decided to head 'home' to league, happy he had given his all.

Now, just 10 months later, a rejuvenated Wales side will be crowned RBS Six Nations champions on Saturday if they beat Ireland in Cardiff.

Many might expect Harris to be tearing his hair out in frustration, wondering why he did not extend his union sojourn by an extra year.

But the former Cardiff centre, who now plays rugby league for Super League side Bradford, is far from upset.

In fact, he is delighted for the team-mates he left behind, especially those that caught the brunt of the flak that accompanied the shock 32-20 loss to Italy in Rome in 2003.

"They deserve the good times because, over the last three years, there have been some bad times," Harris told BBC Sport.

This year they (Wales) are really getting their rewards for all the hard work they have put in over the last three years Iestyn Harris

"Go back to when they lost to Italy away. Every man and his dog jumped on the backs of all the players.

"But they are looking very good this year. The set-pieces have been very good and all over the park they seem very dangerous.

"They look very, very good and tough to stop.

"Hopefully they can carry this form right the way through and, come the next World Cup, be a formidable outfit."

Harris' involvement with the Wales team may have ended when he told a disappointed Mike Ruddock that he wanted to cut short his union contract last summer.

Harris says Henson has got himself together off the field

But Harris still feels he has played his part in the team's success.

"They have been sort of building for this over the last three years and I was part of that build," he says.

Harris admits progress was slow going at first, largely because they were wholesale changes in playing staff, but says persistence has paid off.

"A lot of the big-gun players retired, which left a very young squad, and it took a long time to work and gel," he says.

"This year they are really getting their rewards for all the hard work they have put in over the last three years."

Harris is particularly impressed by Gavin Henson, who took over the number 12 jersey when he returned to league.

"Everybody knows that Gavin has always had all the talent in the world," says Harris.

There are no regrets whatsoever... I made the decision and it was the right decision for me Iestyn Harris

"It is probably his off-the-field antics that haven't been up to scratch.

"But now he seems to have got his head in order and got himself together off the field.

"He had a great game against England and he will be looking for an equally good game against Ireland as well."

And if Wales beat Ireland to end a 27-year wait for a Grand Slam, will Harris feel he has missed out?

"There are no regrets whatsoever," he says. "I made the decision and it was the right decision for me."