PERTEMPS BEES
2007/08 matches v Saints:
At Franklin’s Gardens: Saturday, November 3rd, 2007; (2pm)
At Sharmans Cross Road: Saturday, March 8th, 2008; (2pm – TBC)

Website: www.beesrugby.com
Address: Sharmans Cross Road, Solihull. B91 1RQ
Tel: 0121 705 0409
Directions: From main website

Last matches v Saints: Tetley’s Bitter Cup (01/02) Saints won 32-19 (h); Tetley’s Bitter Cup (00/01) Saints won 47-14 (h)
06/07 NL1 final position: 8th (13 wins; 2 draws; 15 losses; 736 points scored; 911 points conceded; 20 bonus points)

At the start of the decade Pertemps Bees (formerly known as Birmingham/Solihull) were regulars at Franklin’s Gardens, thanks to the way Tetley’s Bitter Cup ties were drawn in two successive years. Indeed one of their number – Chris Budgen – was signed by the Saints on the back of his performance in the first of these encounters in 2000/01. Budgen has gone on to make more than 100 appearances in the black, green and gold; since 2001/02 the Saints and Bees have been strangers on the paddock. A final position of eighth in 2006/07 was something of a turnaround from the previous season when the Bees were spared relegation by the expansion of NL1. It was a far cry from the ambition of Birmingham/Solihull’s formation in 1989, when the goal of being the top side in the west midlands was set out. This was achieved last season when the Bees finished ahead of Coventry and Moseley in NL1. There have changes both on and off the field during the close season as the club look to consolidate their position. Forwards coach Russell Earnshaw replaces Ulster-bound Steve Williams and new players for 2007/08 include centre Mike Mangeolles (on a season-long loan) and Ashley Maggs, both from Bristol. Maggs is a former member of the Saints Academy, as is hooker Matt Miles. However the Bees will miss the attacking prowess of Gloucester-bound Fijian flanker Akapusi Qera, who scored 16 tries last season.

EXETER CHIEFS
2007/08 matches v Saints:
At Sandy Park: Saturday, November 10th, 2007; (3pm)
At Franklin’s Gardens: Saturday, March 22nd, 2008; (3pm)

Website: www.exeterchiefs.co.uk
Address: Sandy Park, Sandy Park Way, Exeter. EX2 7JW
Tel: 01392 427427
Directions

Last match v Saints: n/a
06/07 NL1 final position: 4th (21 wins; 1 draw; 8 losses; 774 points scored; 507 points conceded; 15 bonus points)

Viewers of this summer’s Churchill Cup will already be familiar with Sandy Park. The home of the Chiefs was used for two matches in that tournament and hosted the England Saxons earlier this year. That the ground was chosen ahead of those of the Premiership clubs was vindication of the investment and management of Exeter Rugby Club and a reflection of a greatly increased interest in rugby in the city that has seen the Chiefs’ attendances double last season. This was helped by a Twickenham appearance in the final of the EDF Energy Trophy and a league run that saw only eight defeats. The Chiefs now have an off-field infrastructure equal to many Premiership clubs and with some astute signings – including half-backs Danny Gray (Bristol) and Clive Stuart-Smith (Scarlets), hooker Saul Nelson (Bristol) and former Saint Brett Sturgess (who joins former team mate Matt Grove at Sandy Park) – they are putting the finishing touches to a squad that should be challenging at the top of the table. The players kicked off their pre-season preparations with a week with the Royal Marines and by the end of the NL1 campaign it could be a straight fight for promotion between the Chiefs and the Saints.

NOTTINGHAM
2007/08 matches v Saints:
At Meadow Lane: Sunday, November 17th, 2007; (2:30pm – TBC)
At Franklin’s Gardens: Saturday, March 29th, 2008; (3pm)Website: www.nottinghamrugby.co.uk
Address: The Bay, 1 Holme Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham. NG5 5AA
Tel: 0115 907 0070
Directions

Last match v Saints: Courage League 2 (95/96) Saints won both matches 43-7 (a) and 35-5 (h); Courage League 1 (91/92) Saints lost 18-9 (a)
06/07 NL1 final position: 9th (13 wins; 17 losses; 805 points scored; 718 points conceded; 21 bonus points)

For Saints fans whose memories stretch back to the early-1990s, Nottingham will be remembered as the place where Courage League 1 dreams shattered on the penultimate Saturday of the 1991/92 season. Having won at Welford Road to go top of the table, two wins against already relegated Nottingham and Rosslyn Park would have secured the title. But Saints suffered a shock 18-9 defeat at Ireland Avenue, leaving the door open for Bath to sneak the championship. What might have been! The clubs have met only twice since then in the Saints’ demolition tour of division two in 1995/96, when two straightforward victories went the way of Northampton. Nottingham have left Ireland Avenue since then, moving to The Bay in West Bridgford at the start of last season although first team home games are played at Notts County’s Meadow Lane stadium in the heart of the city. Nottingham is an historic club: formed in 1877 illustrious players to have worn the green and white hoops include Dusty Hare, Brian Moore, Simon Hodgkinson and Rob Andrew. Familiar names on Nottingham’s current books include British Lion Tim Stimpson as backs coach, former Saint Tom Kirk and former Harlequin Luke Sherriff.