Crusaders' head coach Iestyn Harris linked with Wigan
Last updated on .From the section Rugby League
Crusaders head coach Iestyn Harris is expected to join Wigan Warriors as assistant coach for next season.
Harris has been tipped to join Wigan once Shaun Wane is confirmed as successor to Michael Maguire at the DW Stadium.
Crusaders withdrew their Super League application in July but have confirmed their intention to play in the Championship next year.
Harris refused to comment on his future after Crusaders' 58-18 defeat to Hull.
The 35-year-old took over from Brian Noble for the 2011 season but the club have endured a difficult season, winning just six games.
The ex-dual code international, who is also Wales coach, began his playing career as a teenager at Warrington in 1994 under another Welsh dual-code international, Clive Griffiths.
In 1997 he moved to Leeds for £350,000, where he became the first Leeds captain to lift silverware in 10 years - the Challenge Cup.
In the same year, he broke the club record for goals in a season (168).
He then switched to rugby union, joining Cardiff for £2m split between the club at the Welsh Rugby Union winning 25 caps for Wales in the next three years.
But Harris returned to rugby league in 2004, joining Bradford, where he helped Noble's side win the 2006 Grand Final and World Club Challenge.
Two years later, he retired from international rugby with Great Britain after making 15 appearances, but continued to play for Wales where he won 19 caps.
Harris turned to coaching with Featherstone in 2009 and joined the Crusaders as Noble's assistant on their move to Wrexham in 2010.
He has also transformed the fortunes of the Wales national team to win successive European Cups and qualify for the Four Nations.
Crusaders complete their Super League season at Wigan on 9 September.
Wigan coach Michael Maguire will leave his post at the end of the season after accepting an offer to join South Sydney.
