WELSH Rugby Union could be "torn apart" if Iestyn Harris is allowed to join Cardiff, according to a leading WRU official. With Harris, the Leeds Rhinos stand-off, reported to have agreed a four-year contract worth £1 million and Leeds receiving a transfer fee of around £800,000, Cardiff RU and the WRU are already coming under fire from other disgruntled clubs.
Cardiff are using over £500,000 from central WRU funds to help finance the deal.
But if the deal goes through, Harris faces a hostile reception in the Valleys.
"It is ridiculous for this to happen when the majority of Welsh clubs have little money," the WRU source told The Times newspaper.
"Many club are demanding that Cardiff do not pay for him out of WRU funds. To say that a player will only go to Cardiff smacks of favouritism and self-interest for the WRU.
"Signings which use money from central funds will tear the game in Wales apart."
Cardiff are using over £500,000 from central WRU funds to help finance the deal.
But if the deal goes through, Harris faces a hostile reception in the Valleys.
"It is ridiculous for this to happen when the majority of Welsh clubs have little money," the WRU source told The Times newspaper.
"Many club are demanding that Cardiff do not pay for him out of WRU funds. To say that a player will only go to Cardiff smacks of favouritism and self-interest for the WRU.
"Signings which use money from central funds will tear the game in Wales apart."
