After a fixture-free weekend, the Bees board the bus again tomorrow (Saturday 11th February, KO 2.15pm) as they travel to Lichfield in search of vital league points that will keep then in the chase in the title race.

A solid bonus point win against Derby a fortnight ago kept the Bees firmly in the mix in the upper echelons of National League 3 Midlands. They go into Saturday’s game in fourth spot, one point behind Broadstreet in third place and five and nine points adrift of Sheffield and Nuneaton respectively.

However, up until 4pm or so the Bees’ attention will need to be fully on the task at hand as they know from first-hand experience that Lichfield are a more than handy outfit. The meeting between the two sides at Portway back in October saw the men from Staffordshire inflict a 15-23 defeat on the Bees.

It has been a rather mixed season for Lichfield to date - they have won seven and drawn one in their league campaign so far, but have managed to concede 550 points in the process (albeit skewed by a 70-point horror show against Old Hales). Currently in ninth position on 39 points, they have the second worst points for/against record in the league – bettered (if that is the right word) only by bottom placed Syston.

In addition to their win at Portway, they have recently beaten both Bedford Athletic (27-31) and Syston (22-17) as well as talking the scalps of Sandbach (15-13), Towcestrians (26-28), Derby (22-14) and Bridgnorth (24-20). They also notched up a creditable home draw against Peterborough Lions.

It took them seven games to win their first game of their 2016/17 campaign (by beating the Bees at Portway) and since then have won six from 11 games.

With just eight league games left this season, it is vital that the Bees keep up their momentum in the chase for the title race. Head of Rugby Pete Glackin has made some adjustments to the 18-man squad that will travel to Lichfield tomorrow.

Young loose-head prop Joe Foreman starts in the front row alongside Zane Raimondi and Kurtis Payne, with veteran Pete Koziot on the bench. Whilst the engine room combination of skipper Chris Goddard and Andy Weaver is unchanged, promising blindside flanker Reece Donaldson gets the nod, where he will line up with Ashley Scriven and Danny Wright.

Jack Jolly and Ben Phillips continue their partnership in the half backs, whilst a fit again Callum MacBurnie pairs up with Isaac McNulty at centre. Tawanda “Chip” Chipadza and Dan Barratt provide the gas on the wings, with Max Rodman – also now fully recovered – switching to full back.

Another former Bees’ M&J Billy Castle joins Jevon Hinds on the bench.