Rhinos to sue over Harris

Bradford have revealed that arch-rivals Leeds are suing them for £3.2million over the Iestyn Harris tug of war and, if successful, the move would bankrupt the Super League club.

Bulls chairman Peter Hood remains confident his club will win the case but admits they are now steeling themselves for a week-long battle in the High Court next year.

Hood said: "The juggernaut has set off. The only thing that could stop this case is if the claimant - Leeds - chose to stop it."

The two clubs have already spent in excess of £500,000 on legal fees since the former Leeds captain joined Bradford from Cardiff rugby union club in 2004.

In July 2005, a High Court judge found Harris guilty of failing to honour a clause in his contract which gave the Rhinos first call on his services as a league player.

The same judge ruled that Bradford had, in effect, induced Harris to break his contract with Leeds.

Hood added: "Our legal team says we should prepare for a seven-day trial in the High Court in London in the second quarter of next year.

"That would be absolutely horrendous and dreadful to contemplate because of the costs and litigation risk but that is where we seem to be heading."

Asked whether it would threaten the future of the club, Hood admitted: "Yes. If we had to pay £3.2million within 14 days, we could not do it.

"We are not Manchester United. We don't deal in millions of pounds here and don't have that sitting in the bank."