Rugby: Harris ready for off

Iestyn Harris will start his first game of rugby union when Cardiff tackle Glasgow in the Heineken Cup on Saturday.

The former Leeds Rhinos star makes his full union debut at fly-half after impressing as a second-half substitute during Cardiff’s Welsh-Scottish League defeat at Llanelli five days ago.

Although Cardiff coach Rudy Joubert has yet to confirm the starting line-up, he announced yesterday that Harris will wear the number 10 jersey.

Harris, 25, is already being talked about as a Welsh union international as early as next month’s autumn Test series against Argentina, Tonga and world champions Australia.

But he is keen to play down the inevitable media hype that has surrounded his high-profile arrival from rugby’s 13-a-side code.

‘‘I am looking forward to Saturday. I know it is a big game and I am raring to go,’’ he said.

‘‘I enjoyed the 40 minutes at Llanelli and I am just looking forward to playing rather than thinking about any pressure.

‘‘I watched a little bit of the Heineken Cup last season, and it seems to be the competition that everyone wants to win. I am looking forward to facing Glasgow.’’