The play-offs in the Rugbypass.com Men’s Premiership begin with this weekend’s quarter-finals seeing Bloomberg HK Scottish host Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers at Shek Kip Mei while Natixis HKFC host Herbert Smith Freehills HKCC. Both matches kick off at 4.30pm.

The clash between HKFC and HKCC is set to be a blinder, with HKFC entering the business end on the back of a big win over Tigers and HKCC edging closer to full strength after a tough run of injuries.

HKFC coach Phil Bailey has a couple of players racing the clock with knocks picked up against Tigers, but liked what he saw from Jevon Groves in his return last week from a broken wrist.

“He came on for 25 minutes or so in the second half against Tigers to give himself a bit of fitness,” Bailey said. “He scored two intercept tries and he did a really good job.”

Hong Kong player Jamie Hood is another who has slotted nicely back into the HKFC line-up:“Hoody is the ultimate professional and, even better, he is a competitor so he’s great to have in the side.”

Bailey is hoping his side will stick to what they know on Saturday, while being wary of Cricket Club’s playmakers.

“We’ve got a style that we like to play, we have got to play to our strengths so nothing will change,” he said.

“Cricket Club are good at the set piece and have a good kicking game, so it is a matter of trying to shut down their kicking. James Love’s very good on the boot so we have got to be disciplined or he’s going to score in threes all day.”

For HKCC boss Kevin West, the chance to pick from a relatively healthy squad has him optimistic.

“We have got a couple that won’t be back this season, but we’ll be as strong as we’ve been for some time,” he said. “I will have a job in terms of selection rather than just picking standing bodies.”

Prop James Cooper and second-row forward Jack Delaforce are two that won’t be back, although forwards Seb Brien, Adrian Griffiths and Dylan Rogers are all expected to play.

“There is not a lot between the two teams, I think there is a two-point differential in Football Club’s favour from our last two meetings,” West said.

“Even after last week’s result [a 61-26 loss to Valley], that gives us some hope and this is what it’s all about. We have regrouped after taking a bit of a pounding last week. Football Club hold on to the ball really well. A bit of patience and tenacity in our defence will be required.”

Tigers welcome back Hong Kong winger Salom Yiu Kam-shing and centre Braam Gerber as they take on a Scottish side that at times this year looked to have every chance to take out the league championship.

“We will certainly have to perform, that’s for sure,” coach Craig Stewart said. “Four or five weeks ago you would have said Scottish were the form team. They’ve had a bit of bad luck with injuries and lost a bit of momentum but they’re a proud side and will be keen to make sure they get the most out of their season.”

Tigers finished the minor round in bottom place despite delivering some impressive rugby throughout the season, with a round 13 draw with Societe Generale Valley highlighting their ability.

“The nature of the competition is that we get another chance, so who knows what could happen,” Stewart said. “Our guys are really excited and positive about the opportunity.”

Scottish coach Craig Hammond is refusing to rue missed opportunities, rather preferring to focus on the task at hand.

“It would’ve been great to finish second but this is the path we’ve chosen and if we want to have a crack at it we have to we win this quarter-final. It’s going to be a tough ask and we have to make sure we put in a strong performance and build a bit of confidence,” said Hammond.

Second rower Lars Morrice comes back into the side that lost to Kowloon last week and centre Lex Kaleca also has a chance to return.

“If we can individually do our jobs we will be right on Saturday but it’s not going to be easy. Tigers can cut teams open on attack with their sevens boys, they have scored a few tries from 70, 80, 90 metres against us so our defence is going to have to be bang on.”