Bulls star Iestyn Harris took his first steps into the coaching world today when it was revealed he will assist new Wales boss John Dixon.

Rumours have been rife that Harris - 32 next week and out of contract at the end of the season - is set to join Celtic Crusaders as player-coach if they win a Super League franchise for 2009.

He has linked up with Celtic chief Dixon, but for now it is only on the international stage.

Wales have followed England’s lead by appointing an Australian as their new coach, Dixon taking over from Martin Hall, who paid the price after failing to secure a World Cup place.

England, meanwhile, will play Wales in a final warm-up game before they head off for that tournament in Australia.

Dixon, with Harris and fellow newcomer Hull KR boss Justin Morgan assisting, will take charge for the first time in the Gillette Fusion International at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium on Friday, October 10.

But Harris, who retired from international rugby after the defeat against Scotland last October, has ruled out a playing comeback, saying: “I won’t be around for the next World Cup so I would be standing in someone else’s way and I don’t think that would be fair.

“The likes of myself and Keiron (Cunningham) have had our time and now there’s an opportunity for younger kids to come through.”

However, he admits he has ambitions to one day coach his country, and part of Dixon’s remit is to identify and develop future Wales international coaches.

“I’ve been involved with Wales rugby league for 13 or 14 years and played under some quality coaches - the likes of Clive Griffiths - and maybe in the long term to have an opportunity to coach Wales would certainly be up there as one of my top achievements,” he said.

“But at this early stage, it’s a great opportunity to learn from a good coach and a good person. It’s my first step on the coaching ladder and it’s a really good set-up that we’ve got there.

“With us not being in the World Cup, we had to reassess what we wanted to achieve in the next four or five years and we need to start building for the future.

“It’s a great honour and something I’m looking forward to, helping to re-establish Wales as a fighting force.”