Blackheath will face the toughest of challenges against London Scottish this Saturday as their National League One campaign gets under way at the Richmond Athletic Ground.

The Exiles, who now have former England Sevens star Simon Amor as their player-coach, will be many people's favourites for promotion this term.

But at least the large number of Blackheath supporters expected to make the short trip up river will be boosted by the sight of one of their Club favourites restored to the starting line-up.

Since he joined the club in 2002 the name Alastair (Ally) Vanner has been virtually inked in to the Blackheath second-row.

Then, a year ago, and with his 200th First XV appearance within sight, a serious back injury wrecked his season.

"It happened at Otley last September and was the second career threatening injury I'd suffered in a short space of time."

(Ally sustained a broken ankle in January 2008 but, despite still suffering pain, returned to play all 26 league games in the 2008/09 season.)

"A prolapsed disk and very uncomfortable" continued the 30-year old police officer.

"I could have had an operation but that would have had certain drawbacks so I relied on rest and a series of injections."

But whereas many players would have written off the remainder of the season, Ally had other plans.

"We started badly last term but I was desperate to remain part of the team as we gradually improved."

"I attended all the games (even though I hate watching when it's my own team) and Yusuf (Ibrahim) and Bobby (Howe) kept me fully involved."

"I kept targeting four weeks as my return, worked hard on my match fitness - which had slipped to zero along with signs of muscle wastage at one point - and made it back to play 10 minutes in the final match against Tynedale."

Brought up in Suffolk, Ally began his rugby career with Sudbury and made his way to Blackheath via Rosslyn Park and Camberley, representing Eastern Counties, London Division and British Universities along the way.

A specialist number-eight, he quickly converted to lock-forward on arrival at Rectory Field.

"After a handful of games in the back-row I filled in for an injury in the second-row and then didn't look back.

"I suppose at around 16 ½ stone and just under 6'4" I'm a little below the ideal build for a lock but I've always been a target in the line-out and what I lack in weight I make up for in attitude."

"I learned a lot from Andy Earl (the former All Black back-row who appeared for his country on 45 occasions) who was player-coach during my time at Sudbury" he continued.

"He was a massive influence, but at Blackheath Bobby has been one of the best forwards coaches around, building a terrific pack, and I've been fortunate to play alongside the likes of Colin Ridgway, Dom Walton and Josh Taylor."

"They're all firm friends even though they've retired from playing. My parents have also been a huge encouragement. They're always at games and my dad is always available for constructive advice."

And now, after a busy summer during which he toured Canada with the British Police and travelled to Australia for his honeymoon after marrying fiancée Jenny, Ally is all set for the new season.

"London Scottish will be a testing start."

"They're fully professional and are very ambitious, but we played some of our best rugby against them last year (drawing away and losing by a single point at home)."

"We know we're capable of beating them."

And for Ally, who should reach that milestone of 200 appearances this term, will that be enough?

"Not at all. Bobby holds the record at around 250 and I want to beat that" he said before adding with a wry smile.

"I should be OK as long as I make sure he has to keep on selecting me!"