Captain Marvel on the comeback trail

After undergoing extensive surgery on a cruciate ligament and then on a cartilage in the same knee, few would have given the second row a chance of a successful return to rugby.

But he has made it clear, this isn't a come-back for some social rugby. He wants to be involved with the first team, where he believes his experience will prove invaluable in what is still a young side.

Chapman, who last pulled on a first-team shirt more than two years ago, said: "Of course, I missed the social contact with the guys. But it's more than that and I want to push for a first-team place."

In his time of recuperation away from rugby, he has played a little squash and been skiing. Although there have been a few problems in his comeback for the Dragons (the second team) this season, he believes the knee is strong enough to mount a serious challenge for a regular place.

Chapman came into the Basingstoke first team in the 1998-99 season as a raw 19-year-old. He learned quickly under the captaincy of Phil Della-Savina, and coach Gareth Lewis named him for 12 appearances, including a Hampshire Cup semi-final against Winchester, which Basingstoke surprisingly lost.

The following season, former England and British Lions player Nigel Redman came to Down Grange as director of rugby and, under skipper Neal Taylor, Chapman was almost an ever-present as the team earned promotion and a return to the national leagues.

Chapman contributed two tries in his 20 appearances.

The second season under the Redman-Taylor regime was less happy and the team were relegated back to London 1. Chapman missed the last six matches of the season after suffering the cruciate ligament injury - and that period included Basingstoke's win over Havant in the Hampshire Cup final.

Chapman tried a come-back at the end of the 2001-02 season under a new director of rugby, Ian Calder. Three of his four appearances were as a replacement, but the one full match was the most important of the season.

Basingstoke beat Dings Crusaders from Bristol in a play-off final to earn promotion back to National 3 South.

The 2002-03 season for Chapman was limited to 16 appearances and again cut short by injury. Nevertheless, Calder had seen enough talent shining through to make Chapman his captain the following season.

The player contributed two tries in his 22 outings of 2003-04, swapping between the second row and playing No 8. Unfortunately, it was another disappointing season and the team were relegated.

After missing the last three matches of the season, Chapman's second season as captain was cruelly cut short again. It was Jim Dixon's first season in charge and Chapman played just twice before suffering another serious knee injury.

His last appearance in a first-team shirt was early in the 2004-05 season in a home match against Old Colfeians.

At the time, club doctor and chairman Steve Tristram told Chapman to put his own future health first and warned that further damage could mean a knee reconstruction and more major surgery.

The knee cartilage that was badly torn was removed and a second lengthy spell on crutches followed.

Chapman said: "Fortunately, it was not as long as the first operation, which was much more serious. I tried to come back but Steve Tristram said: You've got to be sensible'."

This season, Chapman has joined club-mate Matt Evans, returning from a serious rib injury, in a playing return, travelling from their Camberley homes.

Chapman said: "After two years out you know your fitness has depleted, but I would like to get back to the first team before the end of the season.

"They are lacking experience and that is very important with the development of the squad. When I came into the team, I had the likes of Steve Collins and Pete Polson to show me the ropes and that was invaluable."

In the two years away, Chapman's weight has dropped from 16 to 15 stone but he believes the scrummaging work and match play will quickly bring back the extra poundage.