Harris is tipped to shine in charge of Crusaders

Given the propensity for top-flight clubs to look overseas for their leaders, the dual-code international star being confirmed as Brian Noble's successor at troubled Crusaders provided a refreshing and much-needed boost.

On the back of an abject Four Nations, the last thing the battered domestic game needed was another foreigner taking control and stifling the requisite development of its own budding coaches.

Former Leeds, Bradford and Great Britain international Harris is only 34 – only incoming Catalans coach Trent Robinson at 33 is younger – but such is his deep knowledge and understanding of the sport that few believe he will fail to carve out a successful career at the helm.

It is an oft-held theory that the finest players, as Harris was during a glorious career that saw him named 1998 Man of Steel with Leeds, regularly struggle to convert that talent to the managerial arena.

Indeed, many of the mercurial stand-off's erstwhile team-mates would suggest he was never an obvious coach in the making.

However, equally so, those who have since come under his tutelage point to a man who has swiftly emerged as a consummate coach; those who have seen Harris in both roles concede pleasant surprise at the ease with which he has made the difficult transition.

Bright, inventive and a real student of the game, Harris has proved his potential both during his debut season at Wrexham as Noble's assistant, helping the Crusaders to a surprise spot in the play-offs, and also his success in charge of Wales whom he has just led to European Cup glory and a place in next year's Four Nations.

Given his informed and enlightening offerings as a broadcast summariser since his playing retirement, it is unsurprising that Harris's articulate and concise manner has been mentioned as one of his real strengths.

Halifax scrum-half Danny Jones worked under him at Wales last month and admitted: "Everything he put across was in just the right manner.

"He's not a shouter and bawler, his game plans were always spot-on and he proved really smart.

"I've taken so much away from that experience."

Featherstone Rovers coach Daryl Powell, meanwhile, was a team-mate in the Leeds side a youthful Harris captained to Challenge Cup glory at Wembley in 1999.

He also gave Harris his first chance to start his coaching career as player/assistant at Post Office Road last year.

"Iestyn has got a calmness about him and is a pretty composed guy who has been in the game a long time and worked with some top quality coaches," said Powell.

"He seems to have gained a lot of respect in his first year of coaching with Crusaders and it's a real positive step. It's going to be a tough year for Crusaders and it'll be interesting to see how he fares but I'd suggest he needs to focus on what he can control.

"That's going to be key for him and the players. If Iestyn does that, he'll be fine."

The financially-hampered Welsh club claim to have staved off a winding-up order but face a court hearing on Friday when they could yet enter administration and subsequently suffer a six-point deduction for 2011.

It has brought into question again their Super League credentials given last year's disastrous start when they hastily moved north from Bridgend.

It is understood they remain in severe debt and owe money to ex-players, coaches and agents but Harris insisted: "I wouldn't have taken up this role if I didn't believe the club was going places.

"The things that have been done over the last 12 months with Brian in charge have been really good and we have to keep that progression going.

"The club's ambitions are to be a top-four side in Super League.

"It will be hard work to achieve this, there's still a lot that needs to be done and it will be a big challenge but one I'm going to enjoy.

"Together as a club we can ensure the future of Super League in Wales."

Harris was a player under Steve McNamara when the current England coach took charge at Odsal as a rookie 35-year-old.

What he may glean from that episode is the possible need to surround himself with some more experienced and seasoned staff ready for the battles ahead.

In the meantime, having stood down in Wales, Noble continues to be linked with his long-desired move to the NRL potentially as an assistant at Penrith Panthers.

That leaves tyro Harris to lead the British charge alongside Hull's Richard Agar, Leeds's Brian McDermott and Wakefield's veteran campaigner John Kear.

Harris in land of his grandfather

Iestyn Harris splintered his golden rugby league career with a high-profile four-year spell in the 15-man game after a 1.5m move from Leeds Rhinos to Cardiff and Wales RU in 2001 hailed him as the "saviour of Welsh rugby".

Having struggled to reach the expected heights, though, he returned to league controversially with Leeds's arch-rivals Bradford in 2004 .

Although Harris was born in Oldham, starting out his career at Warrington Wolves, his grandfather Norman Harris was Welsh and played for Ebbw Vale, Pontypool and Newbridge before switching codes.