Birmingham & Solihull pushed Bristol all the way in the corresponding fixture in September – but have since been beset by a raft of off-field issues.

The club went into voluntary liquidation in October and were docked 15 points by the Rugby Football Union as a result.

But they have recently been granted a licence by the RFU to compete until the end of the 2009-10 season after proving their financial viability.

The Midlands club must, however, prove their long-term business plan is workable before the start of next season if they are to continue.

A host of frontline players departed after wages went unpaid earlier in the season, with the club losing former Bristol fly-half Mark Woodrow, props Dan Seal, Darren O'Reilly and Craig Voisey, back-rower Chris Brightwell, centres P J Gidlow and Tal Selley, full-back Reece Spee and lock Shaun Pammenter.

But the Bees have already acted fast after being handed their lifeline last week by signing a new shirt sponsorship deal and bringing in six new players.

Their player-coach Russell Earnshaw, pictured, is one of the hardest-working men in rugby – but he will be missing from the pitch and touchline tomorrow as he is part of the England Sevens coaching staff currently at the IRB Sevens in Dubai.

Earnshaw's men have lost all 11 league games so far this season and have minus 13 points following their deduction.

They have scored fewer points than any other club (160), conceded most (438), have scored the second lowest number of tries (18) and conceded the most tries (60).

They have shipped nine try bonus points in the process.