SOMEWHERE in Poland there is a novice rugby league player running around wearing a Portico Vine training top.

Elsewhere there will be others sporting Saints, Thatto Heath and Clock Face jerseys — and all as a result of a recent tour to the country by a team of Great Britain teachers.

That squad of tourists featured Carmel College rugby coach Kieran Lacey, who added to a long list of tours representing his country with two matches in eastern Europe.

Veteran Lacey, who is heavily involved with the Portico club, made the team as hooker in a side that beat the Polish Select XIII 74-6 in Skierniewic and then the national side 88-0 in Lodz.

But the tour was not about results, with the pioneers helping to spread the 13-man game in another fledgling nation.

Lacey said: “This was the first ever Great Britain teachers tour and they had never played outside this country before.

“The Polish were taking it seriously and they had lads who play amateur over here at Manchester playing for them.

“They had a couple who were interested in playing but they would have to have taken time off work over here and then pay to get there, otherwise the Poles would have had a stronger team.

“But it’s a start for them, even if their skill levels are nowhere near ours.”

Although the Polish game is limited in their finance Lacey said there was warmth in their hospitality during their stay in Lodz.

They reciprocated by seeking to take something that would benefit the game going forward.

Lacey added: “Most of us took some kind of token from the clubs.

“Shaw Cross gave them a full kit, as did St Albans.

“I took 15 rugby balls which Warrington Foundation gave me as they are not widely available over there.

“Rhino gave us four match balls for the test game.

“Those players in the squad who couldn’t supply playing kit, simply threw in a few training tops of their own.

“Somewhere over there there will be somebody training in a Portico Vine top, or a Clock Face and Thatto Heath jersey.”

Lacey was pleased to make another tour to add to a long list over the years.

“At my age, 39, you don’t get many chances to tour. I have not done too bad – in 22 years since my first international I have played against France, New Zealand, Lebanon and Australia and captained the Lionhearts,” he said.