As far as I'm aware neither side have met before in any competition. Bees finished last season in ninth position with 49 points after picking up ten wins in their twenty six matches. Bees came to the attention of many rugby supporters two years ago when they swept aside Wasps in the Powergen Cup, at High Wycombe and then lost, despite a spirited performance, against Newcastle in the next round.

Both teams were in action last weekend in their final pre season matches before the start of the ND1 Championship. Quins narrowly lost after a controversial injury time try by Saracens gave the home side a very close 25-24 victory. That same afternoon, Pertemps Bees comprehensively demolished Cardiff 71-15 running in a total of eleven tries, in a match that had been hastily arranged following Pontypool’s very late cancellation of their fixture. Bees had been held at 19-12 at the break, however with the exception of two players, they fielded a completely different side, and that team added a further 21 points during the first ten minutes of the second half. Their final five tries all came from turnover ball deep inside their own half. New signing from Viadana and former England winger Tom Beim scored a hat trick of tries and it has been reported that winger Nick Baxter put in an impressive performance out on the wing. Quins will need to be wary of these two players and close them down. The match review reported that Bees were guilty of giving away penalties when they shouldn’t have done, but all in all it sounds an impressive performance, a fast running game for which the Cardiff forwards had no answer.  I m sure the management at Quins will have taken note of this feat; it certainly is a timely reminder that there is no room for any complacency; each match has to be targeted as a “must win” game.

Whether he arrival of Harlequins in ND1 has had an effect on scale of recruitment in the division is unclear, however Pertemps Bees have undertaken some significant recruitment over the summer period. Samoan prop Reuben Leilaiu, who arrived from his Queensland club just a week ago, albeit for a one month trial. Other signings include a couple of ex Quins, prop, and former Coventry captain Adrian Olver and flanker Tu Tamarua from Rotherham who has yet to arrive, alongside former England international winger Tom Beim, signed from Italian club Viadana, ex-Pontypool flanker Cae Trayhern, former Bristol centre Adam Billig and Guillaume Scheuller, another back-row forward who arrived from Orrell, and finally England Under-19 fly-half Ryan Lamb, who has rejoined Pertemps Bees on loan from Premiership side Gloucester .Their most recent signing from Orrel prop, Joe Horn-Smith, will probably start the match on the bench.

Bees coach, Phil Maynard, concedes that they will have their hands full against Harlequins, "We have trained at a high-level of intensity and tried to reduce our mistakes in preparation for this game," adding, "The important thing is that we don't get caught flat-footed in defence. It's inevitable that international-class players are going to make breaks in this league. We have to ensure that we don't miss tackles but if we do then the key will be how quickly we react."

Pertemps Bees website has announced that they are very excited about this match and will give Harlequins players and spectators a very warm reception, adding ” … and the sort of hospitality then can expect to enjoy during the rest of the season in this league."  I guess we take that which ever way we want! Their statement continues "We have spent a lot of time and money over the summer smartening up the ground and our facilities which we hope spectators will appreciate. We have spent something approaching £200,000 over the last couple of years on our ground, a fraction of what Harlequins have just spent on their facilities maybe, but nevertheless, a lot for a small club”.

It is a massive game for Birmingham and probably the biggest they have ever staged at home and this will be repeated all around the ND 1 clubs this season. The pain and numbness of our relegation has long gone, a lot of changes have occurred at the Stoop, mostly for the better, since the end of April, and whilst I m not comfortable with all of them, the new season can be looked upon in a very positive manner for all who wear the quartered shirt. It can be argued that Harlequins are taking a missionary position in this division. Their presence will certainly increase local crowds and revenue at their away matches wherever they go and they will also give a psychological boost to these clubs in this, most competitive of English leagues. The relegation of and the draw of a “big name”  is probably just what lower league Rugby requires as the “World Cup factor” has finally been extinguished following a none too good Lions tour. Of those teams who could have been relegated last season, I believe that only Harlequins and Northampton, who have been here before, had the resources, foresight and ability to adapt to position they found themselves in, survive the drop and successfully manage the change.

Will Greenwood has been reported this week as saying that he expects "ferocious welcome” in certain parts of the country, but he is looking forward to a good season. Greenwood has had experience of lower leagues in the days when he played for Preston Grasshoppers. Indeed Easter, So’oialo and Vass have first hand experience of ND 1 as do Burke and Ward, but for the rest of the team there is likely to be a culture shock, not only in the lack of facilities at some clubs but also I expect in the standard of some of the refereeing.

In retaining the bulk of last years’ squad after being relegated, and bolstered by some shrewd signings, together with the coaching of Dean Richards, Quins are the pundits’ favorites to bounce straight back up. It would certainly be a major blow if this did not happen, but Quins resolve will be rigorously tested all season. Bristol coach and ex Quin RIchard Hill seems to echo these views "The gulf is pretty large between the Premiership and the National League. I think Quins are going to enjoy this year. Without the pressure of fire-fighting from one week to the next they can experiment with their style of play, which is what we did.  He added however, “They have got to be careful because if they are not up for the occasion, they might lose the odd game, but I can't see them losing more than one."

Quins pre season matches have been useful and successful in preparing for the new season. The results are immaterial, it is how the team have played and gelled together. They do seem to be better prepared than last year and they look a lot sharper and ooze confidence. Obviously with a quality player Mehrtens in the back line makes a huge difference, and he has brought his kicking boots with him. Harder and Monye appear to be faster and particularly Monye has gained in confidence in the tackle. He certainly has had no trouble in finding the try line so far. The pre season games did highlight some concerns in the line out but these appear to have been tightened up. Tackling could also be improved but, with fast running games with quick off loads and being played on a very hard surface, with players are looking not to get injured before the season starts.  Perhaps the most pleasing thing to come out of the preseason matches was the excellent play of the academy players. Their confidence was tremendous and they did not look out of their depth, and they should be able to hold there own in some of the ND1 matches this season. I m sure that we will be seeing more and more of them as the season progresses, and it bodes very well for the “ Premiership A” League that Quins will continue to be part of in the coming season. By the way a date for your diary, the first “A” game is against Wasps is on Monday September 5^th 19.30 at the Stoop

Richards first team selection is interesting and has already caused a lot of debate. He is reported in the Richmond and Twickenham Times today as saying that it will be a very different style to last year. The team announced appears to have been influenced by the pre season friendlies, and it is likely to be part of a pattern that will extend across the season with Richards fielding “horses for courses”. Certainly the power of the substitute’s bench will turn many a side pale, and they will have the ability to turn a match around should things start to go awry. Perhaps the biggest surprise is that at just 17 years-old Jordan Turner-Hall makes his league debut for NEC Harlequins. Although those who saw him play down at Bristol two weeks ago may not be. He will partner Ireland international Gavin Duffy in the midfield. As expected Andrew Mehrtens starts at fly half. A fast running game can therefore be expected. In the pack, Mike Worsley has recovered from the back injury and he packs down in the front row alongside summer signings Jimmy Richards and Ricky Nebbett .Ceri Jones is still suffering from an injury picked up last weekend against Saracens. Luke Sherriff is preferred to Nick Easter in the back row and starts on the open side flank, with captain Andre Vos switching to the blind side.

A near sell out is of 3500 is expected at Sharman Cross for this match and Quins fans will be swarming to Solihull in their droves. With two coaches booked and many making their own way to the ground, all the 1,000 seats in the stand have been sold.

I‘m confident of a Quins victory, but the Bees will put up a stout defence which will perhaps begin to crumble after an hour of play. I expect Quins to win by six tries to two, depending how solid that Bees defence will be.

The stage is set for both groups of fans to enjoy a cracking match on Saturday afternoon, much better than anything they’ll have on offer at Twickenham this weekend! With fine weather forecast, we are all looking forward to a great day out., oh and don t forget the sun screen.

Come on you Quins!

NEC Harlequins:
15. Tom Williams, 14. George Harder, 13. Gavin Duffy, 12. Jordan Turner-Hall, 11. Ugo Monye, 10. Andrew Mehrtens, 9. Steve So’oialo, 1. Mike Worsley, 2. Jimmy Richards, 3. Ricky Nebbett, 4. Jim Evans, 5. Simon Miall, 6. Andre Vos (Capt.), 7. Luke Sherriff, 8. Tony Diprose
Replacements (from):
Tani Fuga, Alex Rogers , Lorne Ward, Aston Croall, Pablo Bouza, Nick Easter. Ian Vass
Adrian Jarvis, Will Greenwood, Simon Keogh 

Pertemps Bees:  had not been announced as this review was published
Replacements:

Match Officials:
Referee: Martin Fox
Touch judges: Trevor Fisher, Martin Buck

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