Manager Karen Fletcher’s daughter makes her full debut on the wing on Sunday against unbeaten Blackheath.

D-day has finally arrived for the Ipswich Scorpions when the Boudicca Cup champions entertain unbeaten Blackheath at Humber Doucy Lane on Sunday.

The much-vaunted Londoners have brushed five other National League One South East teams aside so far this season but tellingly, struggled in their only recent away match, when they beat Hove 15-8, and the long journey up the A12 may prove to be their Achilles heel.

The match will see yet another new combination take to the pitch but the coaching entourage of Dave Lintott, Ben Louisson, Jim Goodall, Andy Malloy and Bryan Caley have worked hard to help the swelling squad to gel in training.

Seventeen-year-old Jessica Fletcher makes her full debut on the wing following a successful spell in the Boudicca Cup last Sunday, while Jo Calver has earnt a place in the centres following a dynamic display last Sunday.

Zoe March returns to the openside flank where she is partnered by the outstanding Lisa Cooksey, who takes up the blindside flank, in place of the unavailable Sarah Jaye. Vice-captain Mary Hickey completes the loose trio and the three will have their work cut out for them against the renowned Blackheath loose forwards.

Captain Emily-Jane Stearn has spent the week recovering from an ankle injury but will benefit from the introduction of trainee physio Charlie Miller to the squad this week. Miller has been shadowing senior men’s physio Charlie Martin and is a much-needed boost to the team’s long-term prospects.

British Police representative Emma Arthurs returns at fullback, where she wrought havoc against Camberley in September and Amanda Jennings is rewarded for her debut Scorpions try in the Boudicca Cup last weekend with promotion to the front row, where she replaces the recovering Paula Donnelly-Downes.

Priscilla Todd is still recovering from a broken finger so manager Karen Fletcher remains at tighthead, with Helen Waters at hooker, where she has been making a strong impact on the results with her sharp strike in the scrums and pinpoint lineout throwing.

The team has just finished shooting a planned calendar which will be published in early December and are seeking sponsorship.

“The squad funds everything entirely out of their own pockets,” said coach Lintott. “We have huge travel expenses, need new kit and have an urgent need of medical assistance as the game takes a heavy toll on the players, all of whom make a lot of sacrifice to play and train.”

The current injury list includes Suzanne Norton, with a hamstring injury, centre Lou Brown, who is still recovering from a knee cartilage injury sustained against Harlequins, Gudrun Wright, Donnelly-Downes, Todd and Stearn, several of whom will be strapped up to take the field on Sunday. Laura Sager and Sophia Smith are unavailable because of study commitments and new players Lorraine Oldale and Kat Ludwig will be available to begin playing in two weeks’ time away to Hove.

The team for the Sunday match, which kicks off at Humber Doucy Lane, 2pm, is:

Amanda Jennings, Helen Waters, Karen Fletcher; Alison Haile, Heidi Thomson; Lisa Cooksey, Zoe March, Mary Hickey; Pippa Marshall, Vicky Archer; Jessica Fletcher, Emily-Jane Stearn, Jo Calver, Emma Johnson; Emma Arthurs. Replacements: Georgina Whitfield, Gudrun Wright, Nicola Pettman, Suzanne Norton, Louise Blundell.

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