RUGBY UNION: Ipswich have what coach Mike Hancock describes as a "must win" game at home to Thurrock tomorrow. "Already this season we have beaten them away, so completing the double will enable us to draw further away from the relegation zone and put space between us and the teams at the bottom," he said.

IPSWICH have what coach Mike Hancock describes as a "must win" game at home to Thurrock tomorrow.

"Already this season we have beaten them away, so completing the double will enable us to draw further away from the relegation zone and put space between us and the teams at the bottom," he said.

Ipswich are currently in seventh place with the London League Two North with ten points while Thurrock are third from bottom with seven points.

Ipswich were beaten 17-3 in their last league game at Woodford a fortnight ago – mainly because of

indisicipline.

"Despite a strict warning before the start not to give away penalties, we conceded eight in the first ten minutes. As a result we found ourselves 12-0 down and never recovered," said Hancock.

"So against Thurrock we need to bear that in mind and work hard to churn out a

victory."

Simon Hughes makes a welcome return in the centre for his first senior game in more than two months. "He has been included for his inventiveness and goalkicking ability," said Hancock.

Ipswich hope his return will help spark the backs into life and build on the efforts of the forwards who have been in impressive form.

Last Saturday Ipswich comfortably defeated Bury St Edmunds 31-7 in a friendly. Crispin Stephens who had missed the last few games since becoming a father, makes a return in the front row as prop, alongside Danny Reeve and Rob Thomas.

Captain Jeff Searle in particular is hoping for a victory in order to celebrate his 28th birthday at the Humber Doucy Lane Club House afterwards.

There is no Magpies fixture but Ipswich Thirds are also a home in a Merit Table game against Harwich.

Ipswich players are reminded that £50 deposit for the proposed Dublin tour at the end of the season must be paid by Saturday. A minimum of 20 deposits will be required by the deadline on Saturday night otherwise the club will be forced to postpone the tour until 2003.

Ipswich: Stephens, Reeve, Thomas, Briggenshaw, Price, Rush, Searle (J), Primmer, Johnson, Van Heerden, Searle (John), Hughes, Hines, Birchley, Harding. Replacements: Towns, Fairclough, Novosad.