Two new backline recruits will be making their debuts in a Bees’ shirt tomorrow (Saturday 28th November), as Birmingham & Solihull travel north up the M6 to Sandbach.

Mitch McGahan and Arron Wilson – both Kiwis - come in at 10 and 12 respectively to help boost a backline which has been plagued by injuries and has failed to spark consistently in the league campaign to date.

Both have been most recently plying their trade up at Peebles in Scotland; McGahan is a seasoned campaigner who has played first class rugby in Scotland, Wales and Spain, whilst Wilson has played high level senior rubgy in New Zealand.

The Bees will be keen to take the many positives from last week’s narrow home defeat against Peterborough Lions, as they look for their an elusive win following five defeats on the trot.

The 17-22 loss to Peterborough could have easily been turned into a draw or a victory had the Bees assault on the Lions’ try line in the last five minutes of the game yielded a try. Nonetheless, that defeat – the Bees’ eighth of the season put them bottom of the table, tied on 14 points with Sutton Coldfield who notched up a 20-12 home victory against Sandbach.

Sandbach’s season to date could be described as somewhat of a mixed bag. Although recording four wins to date, their haul of three bonus points means that they currently sit just three places and five points above the Bees in League 3 Midlands.

Two of their four wins have been at home – against Longton and Nuneaton - whilst they have also been successful on the road against Peterborough Lions and Syston.

Last week’s defeat against Sutton Coldfield added to their away losses at Lichfield, Newport Salop and Old Halesonians, whilst both Old Northamptonians and Scunthorpe have both got the better of the Cheshire-side on their visits to Bradwall Road.

Speaking ahead of the game Bees’ Head of Rugby Ian Matthews said “We’ve had a positive week in training, building on the much improved performance last week against Peterborough Lions.”

“Our two new signings - Mitch McGahan and Arron Wilson – will come in at 10 and 12 respectively to give the team greater direction in both defence and attack. Jack Jolly moves to 9 where he will demand high standards of the forward, who showed last week that they are more than capable of producing good quality ball.”

“Injuries up front are forced some changes this week - me (knee injury), Mitch Lee (shoulder) and Pete Koziot (concussion) gives a chance to bring Kurtis Payne back in and reward Liam Dunne for his excellent work in the Development squad.”

Birmingham & Solihull team selected v Sandbach Saturday 28th November 2.15pm KO:- Sam Davenport, Alex O’Malley, Jimmy Oliver, Aaron Wilson, Mitch McGahan, Jack Jolly, Matt Tibbatts, Ashley Scriven, Darren Forder, Matt Spink, Chris Goddard©, Kurtis Payne , Andy Kettle and Dan Toth. Replacements – Liam Dunne, Martin Hooker and Ian Briggs.