The two South London clubs meet for the first time in a league fixture at 1st XV level which has generated plenty of interest in local rugby circles. And Elthamians are expecting their biggest ever crowd at their new home.

But OEs Director of Rugby is quick to play down the importance of tomorrow’s clash. “Yes it’s a big game,” Lach said, “And I understand why it has generated a lot of interest outside of the two clubs. But looking at the bigger picture, it really is no more important than any other game we play in National One, and I’m sure Blackheath would say the same thing. As we are finding week in week out, every game at this level is important if you want to consolidate your position in the league.

“So our preparation this week has been no different from any other week as if we were playing the likes of Coventry, Loughborough or Caldy - or it will be for next week against Bishop’s Stortford. It’s business as usual.”

He added: “Look, Blackheath are in third place and are having an excellent season, so we are just another obstacle in their path to chasing down the two leading clubs, Darlington and Coventry. For us, we want to cement our position in the top half of the table in our first season at this level.

“People go on about local bragging rights, but it’s no good winning the local derby if you then lose the next 10 games in National One. So there has to be some perspective.”

Lach has near enough a full strength squad to choose from, missing only prop Aston Bevans-Royston (pictured) who suffered a leg injury at Albanian last Saturday. “Losing Aston is a blow because he has been good in the last couple of weeks since he came back into the side,” the OEs boss said. “He was a rock against Moseley and offered a lot around the park both in defence and attack. And he did well for 20 minutes at OAs until he got injured.”

OEs face a Blackheath side who have already despatched three of the top five so far this season - Darlington Mowden Park 39-24, Ampthill 16-15 and Plymouth 32-31. Last Saturday they beat Caldy 29-17, and Lach believes tomorrow’s game will be decided on fine margins. “I think when you are playing a local derby and players are pumped up, discipline will be crucial,” he said. “There is no doubt Blackheath are a quality side, and they have impact players off the bench as well. So, this will be as tough as any challenge we have faced this season. But we are in good form ourselves and the victories in the last two weeks over Birmingham and Albanian have been excellent in very different circumstances. So I’m expecting a close fought contest.

“We’ve proved what we can do against the top clubs in the division and Blackheath are flying high, so Saturday should hopefully live up to the hype. What I will say is, win or lose tomorrow, our season will not be defined by one result."

Lach continued: “We have come a long way in short space of time, so much so that we have not even played Blackheath in a pre-season fixture. This is our first season at this level and we are in the top half of the table at present - there are hundreds of clubs up and down the land that would love to be able to say that. So no matter what the result tomorrow, it has been an outstanding effort by everyone so far.”