"The Croatian team are here on tour to prepare for their next international game against Denmark. They're being hosted by Marlow and staying in that area," said Darko Luger, Dan's father, and a leading Croatian rugby official.

"Rugby in Croatia arrived in the 1960s and has been developed gradually since then. They've had some success - especially in Sevens when they went close to knocking New Zealand out in Hong Kong a couple of years ago."

"There are lots of Kiwis, Aussies and South Africans of Croatian origin who play the game, but the game there is still in its infancy. They need more structure and more support."

Croatia play at Southend on Saturday, April 19, then take on a Wasps development side at their Marlow base on April 22 (7pm) before facing Marlow on April 25 (7pm).

Brooke now player-coach at Coventry, will be leading a training session for the Croatians next Sunday before Quins pair Luger and Greenwood pass on some of their talents and skills on the following Wednesday.

Croatia currently at 36th place in the latest World rankings, have beaten Slovenia and Belgium this season before losing to Switzerland and have to beat Denmark to stand an outside chance of winning promotion.

Croatia's links with Marlow started two season's ago when flanker forward Jacksa Lovreta and scrum-half Mike Lunjevich joined the South West One league club, and the forward looking Bucks side have also got a Czech international on their books - flank forward Ladia Vondrasek, and last summer toured Croatia, playing local Croat side Maraska on their travels.