With the Rugby World Cup now behind us, it is back to business in National League 3 Midlands this Saturday (7th November KO 2.15pm) as the Bees entertain local rivals Old Halesonians at Portway.

Old Hales’ have made an excellent start to their season and currently sit in second place in the table, just 3 point behind league leaders Hinckley. They have won six out of seven games to date, beating Old Northamptonians, Sandbach and most latterly Sutton Coldfield at home and Nuneaton, Syston and Peterborough Lions on their travels. Indeed their only defeat to date was on their trip up to Scunthorpe, where they were narrowly beaten 24-19.

There are a couple of former Bees in the Old Halesonians squad in the shape of prop Louis Padian and centre Ben Barkley, who will no doubt get a warm reception on their return to Portway.

For the Bees, they will be keen to put in the type of performance that saw them beat Bromsgrove to progress to the semi finals of the North Midlands Cup (where incidentally they will face Old Hales) – rather than the insipid performance that saw them well beaten at Nuneaton in their last league outing.

Their cause should be helped by two new signings, who are both set to make their debuts in a Bees shirt.

Former Coventry No.8 and Captain Matt Tibbatts, who has come on loan from NLS2 outfit Chinnor, will take his place in the back row, whilst loose head prop Marcus Tomlinson – most latterly of Woodrush - brings some extra beef on the hoof to the front row.

Speaking ahead of the game, Bees Head of Rugby Ian Matthews said; “To be able to bring in a player like Matt Tibbatts, with a proven pedigree at National League 1, will undoubtedly provide plenty of go forward from the base of our scrum.”

“With Marcus also making his debut at loose head and Kurtis Payne getting the nod at tight-head, coupled with the return of both Matt Spink and Mitch Lee in the pack, we should be able to give Old Hales a real physical challenge up front.”

“In the backs, Jimmy Oliver returns from injury to partner Mikey Whettell in the centre with plenty of pace in a back three of Beckett, Fensome and Briggs.”

“Over the last two weeks, the performance team has - effectively - delivered a pre-season block, where the players have worked hard on all aspects of their play, including conditioning and decision making. There is a real energy and drive in the squad to move the team up the league and that journey starts this Saturday against Old Halesonians.

Birmingham & Solihull team selected v Old Halesonians Saturday 7th November 2.15pm KO:-
Ian Briggs, Chris Fensome, Mikey Whettell, Jimmy Oliver, Nyle Beckett, Jack Jolly, Martin Hooker, Matt Tibbatts, Ashley Scriven, Matt Spink, Chris Goddard©, Mitch Lee, Kurtis Payne, Pete Koziot and Marcus Tomlinson. Replacements – Dan Toth, Darren Forder and Sam Davenport.

The Development side travel to Wassell Grove to take on Old Halesonians 2nds.