The annual West Midlands and Guests Relegation Roadshow rolls into town this weekend and for a second year running Moseley and Birmingham & Solihull headline. Not that anyone’s especially chuffed about it.

Local bragging rights, a place in the professional game and the small matter of three hundred grand are up for negotiation over the next six weeks and just as it did last year much of the action centres on our region.

Plymouth Albion and Esher bring a slightly different flavour to this year’s Group of Death meaning that while the competition is slightly less incestuous, it is no less difficult to predict.

Rugby correspondent Brian Dick speaks to Moseley’s head coach Ian Smith and Bees’ player-director of rugby Russell Earnshaw, men whose chains of office weigh ever more heavy.

Ever had that feeling of deja vu? Why are we back in the same situation again gents?

Ian Smith: We all have our hopes and dreams in pre-season but the fact is unless you are extra fortunate no matter how hard you work you are likely to end up where you should be in terms of budget.

In days gone by we have managed to punch above our weight but with sides getting better those days are going. The boys have given everything they have got and we will never give up.

Some games have been on a knife edge and we have certainly done enough to get more points.

We have got some strength at 13 and in the wide channels, had we had those players in August it might have been a different story.

Russell Earnshaw: We have improved but the league has improved significantly from last season.

We could have done better, though. It took us a while to get going and we were not helped by injuries to key players.

We have been our own worst enemy at times and it’s a simple fact that we did not have a goal-kicker when we played Moseley – the sort of game that can set a season moving.

There have been some very good performances though. Which of those represents your blueprint?

IS: It looked quite good in the early games against Bristol and Cornish Pirates. With a bit more finishing power it could have been a bit different.

When we played Rotherham at home we lacked a cutting edge but we were all over them.

Even Bristol away, having given them a 22-point start, we could still have come back and won it.

When we are switched on we are a very good side to watch.

RE: From an attacking point of view Bristol at home was very good and defensively I would say Worcester at home when we were very good.

There has to be a balance on offence and we had a pretty good balance when we beat Doncaster, we went straight at them when we had to and moved wide when it needed it.

There have also been some poor displays, which ones stand out?

IS: Esher away was disappointing and Worcester last week was too, because we had nothing to lose and could have had a crack against one of the big boys.

London Welsh at home was just a case of us not having any intensity and physically and mentally not wanting to know. It was ridiculous that a few weeks later we beat virtually the same side.