Ion Cebotari, a rugby union teacher on a two-week fact-finding visit to Bradford Grammar School, would like to return some day.

In fact, he has made the first move in paving the way for staff at the school to go to his country of Moldova.

Cebotari, who is based at the Comuna Ciorescu School in the capital Chisinau, said: "Both options would be great, and while there are no plans yet I think it would be great for the BGS staff to come and visit Moldova."

Links between the schools have been forged by the International Rugby Board's (IRB) SOS Kit Aid scheme.

Unwanted or outgrown clean rugby kit can be used by less fortunate youngsters from ten emerging rugby countries, including Romania, Moldova, Georgia and Bulgaria.

Boots, shirts, shorts, socks and tracksuits would all be welcome as the youngsters are desperate to play, as would equipment such as head protectors, shoulder protectors and rugby balls.

Cebotari said: "We had an official school kit but nothing specifically for rugby, the shirts were just plain and had no markings for example.

"The kit the SOS IRB Kit Aid scheme has donated is a lot more durable and, of course, a lot more suitable for playing rugby with."

Cebotari said of his time at Bradford Grammar: "I very much like the facilities and the atmosphere feels great.

"I think everything that you need for a good learning environment is here, both academically and for sports."

Cebotari has been both shadowing the rugby staff at the school and assisting with lessons, and said: "Of course, it has been interesting and I like how well everything is organised and how the staff relate to the pupils in a friendly manner.

"I have learnt various new rugby techniques which I will take back to Moldova and will, of course, use them there in my training sessions."

The hope ultimately is that some of the developing rugby nations, including Moldova, will eventually progress to at least the second tier of international rugby union.

Cebotari said: "Moldova already plays at a high level. We try to take part in international championships as much as possible but sometimes we get refused visas (to Italy, for example) and it is hard to participate.

"Either way we usually come out somewhere in the top few places in the various international championships."

The relevant Kit Aid website can be visited at www.sosirbkitaid.org. Schools or clubs wanting to participate in the scheme should call Andy Thompson on 07973 600092.