With last weekend’s North Midlands Cup semi final washed out, the Bees will be looking to open their 2016 account against league leaders Hinckley at home this Saturday (9th January KO 2.15pm Portway).

Hinckley will pose a stern challenge for the home side, given that they are unbeaten so far this season and, as a result, are 10 points ahead of their nearest rivals Old Halesonians at the top of the league. Their impressive 14 game unbeaten run this season has seen them notch up 9 try bonuses in their total of 65 points and they have a positive scoring difference of 276.

When the two sides met mid September, just three games into the season, the Bees were effectively out-muscled, suffering a comprehensive 41-10 defeat. Hinckley scored six tries in total, four of them in the first forty minutes. Although far more competitive in the second half, the fate of the game had been effectively sealed by half time.

Injuries and significant squad recruitment means that just six players that took the field for the Bees in the game at Leicester Road back in September feature in this week’s match day 18.

In the forwards, Messer’s Koiziot, Spink, Goddard and Scriven will all be familiar to the visitors who will wear the No.3 to No.6 shirts respectively. Darren Forder and Matt Tibbatts complete the back row, with Dan Toth getting the nod at loose head and Zane Raimondi cementing his place at hooker.

Winger Nyle Beckett and replacement Chris Fensome are the only two Bees backs playing in this return fixture. Kiwis Marty Hooker, Mitch McGahan and Arron Wilson will play at 9,10 and 12 respectively, with ex British Army Sevens player Kami Novoke set to make his debut at outside centre. Alex O’Malley returns from injury on the right wing, with another Bees’ debutant, Josh Palmer – formerly of Broadstreet – starting at full back.

Kurtis Payne, returning from injury, joins Lewis Lawlor on the bench alongside Fensome.

Bees’ Head of Rugby Ian Matthews said, “Hinckley will, without a doubt, provide a big challenge for us – their current league position demands our respect but we will be bursting every sinew to get the New Year off to a positive start, defending our home turf.”

Birmingham & Solihull have named Saturday’s game as “Rob Walton Day” as a tribute to a much loved and fondly remembered former player at both the Bees’ and Hinckley. A member of the Bees’ famous Powergen Cup quarter final winning side against Wasps back in 2005, Rob Walton tragically lost his life while on holiday in France last year.

“A competitive game, played in the right spirit, enjoyed both on and off the pitch, would be a very fitting tribute to man known to many as ‘horse’” said Bees’ Chairman, Chris Loughran.

Birmingham & Solihull team selected v Hinckley Saturday 9th January 2.15pm KO:- Josh Palmer, Alex O’Malley, Kami Novoke, Arron Wilson, Nyle Beckett, Mitchell McGahan, Martin Hooker, Matt Tibbatts, Ashley Scriven, Darren Forder, Matt Spink, Chris Goddard ©, Pete Koziot, Zane Raimondi, Dan Toth. Replacements –Kurtis Payne, Lewis Lawlor and Chris Fensome.