Timing's wrong for Mose hopes
THE spate of injuries and absences that have afflicted the Moseley squad for the first time this season could not have come at a worse juncture with a visit to National One champions-elect Leeds Carnegie on the horizon. Head coach Ian Smith must do without No.8 James Rodwell, who is away on Sevens duty with England, prop Nathan Williams and possibly hooker Adam Caves for what is sure to be

Earnshaw jets off to Dubai for his IRB Sevens
BIRMINGHAM & Solihull head coach Russell Earnshaw flies to Dubai with the England squad tonight ahead of the opening round of the IRB Sevens Series. As well as masterminding Bees’ National Two promotion charge, the No.8 is also part of the Red Rose coaching squad that will try to improve on last year’s fifth place overall when the action gets under way in the United Arab Emirates next weekend.

Mitchell fears being sucked into relegation fight
STOURBRIDGE director of rugby Neil Mitchell fears his young side could be dragged into a relegation battle if the changes made to the structure of the First Division ripple down to National Two. Following last Friday’s landmark decision to cut the First Division to 12 teams from next season, there are rumours four instead of three teams could also be relegated from level three.

Coventry look to the future
RUGBY director Phil Maynard wants Coventry to lay down a marker for next season and ruffle a few feathers at National Division One high-flyers Exeter tomorrow. With a number of players returning to fitness and in need of game time, Maynard and his coaching team were tempted to make changes at the start of a run of three away matches against top four sides where Cov will be heavy underdogs.

Umaga eager to join the big boys in Trophy draw
HIGH-FLYING Nuneaton are firm favourites to progress to the third round of the EDF Energy National Trophy tomorrow when Hull travel to Liberty Way to face a home side who have won six of their last seven games. Last weekend Hull Ionians came under the cosh as Nuns breezed to a convincing 29-6 success to remain third in National Division Three North - and with confidence high at the moment it