THE Bees protest too much methinks. The Birmingham side go head to head with Worcester on Saturday bidding to stop the Sixways juggernaut and quietly confident they can upset the odds at Sharmans Cross Road.

The public message is quite different. Can't win, won't win is the mantra from Solihull. The fact that they were able to lure Jim Jenner and Craig Chalmers to their club in the summer is a timely reminder that, not only do they have the finance, they have the players to cause Worcester a problem or two.

The Bees talk endlessly about the Sixways playing budget but, you have to suspect, that it would have cost Pertemps a pretty penny to force the club to change its name in the summer. The serious point around all the hubbub is that this side will test Worcester and the National One leaders will have to be absolutely focused rather than getting involved in all the distraction.

Ex-players will bring passion to the party but a cool head will always win the day.

The battle between Jenner and Drew Hickey is a prime example of both forces. It will, no doubt, be a fascinating one and, after the form the Australian has shown this season so far, it would be foolish to bet against him coming out on top. For coach Andy Keast, the need to be utterly focused on the game plan is critical.

"In the first game of the season at Otley, we let the opposition rattle us," said Keast. "The referee didn't take a firm stance on the discipline so we decided to do it for him. You simply cannot do that and since that day, it hasn't happened again. We learnt our lesson there and then.

"Yes, they will be looking to provoke us but I'm confident that our players will be able to handle that. You lose a game of rugby by points on the board through ill discipline whereas if you keep a cool head and execute your rugby better than the opposition, you win the game.

"If the opposition wants to niggle that means they're not concentrating on rugby. We hope, however, that they concentrate on rugby and if they're good enough to beat us then we'll take our hat off to them.

"It will be a passionate game because of the players they have on their team but I think our team will be passionate about the match.

"They know it's a local derby and victory will be all the sweeter for me and the players if we can come away with the points. I believe in this group of players."