The Hong Kong Rugby Union Old Mutual International Men’s Premiership enters the Grand Championships play-off stage this Saturday with two bumper clashes in store to kick off three action-packed weeks.

Down at The Rock at Shek Kip Mei, Bloomberg HK Scottish host Kowloon, while Herbert Smith Freehills HKCC travel to Happy Valley to tackle Societe Generale Valley, with both matches kicking off at 3pm.

Scottish have gone under the radar to a certain extent this season with some patchy form, but enter the play-offs with a head of steam after some good recent performances.

They have notched four wins from their past five matches, including a win over league champions Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers in the final minor round, with their only loss a three-point defeat by Valley.

Coach Craig Hammond says his side are out to atone for their early exit from last year’s play-offs, where they came in as one of the top grand championship chances but were bundled out at the first hurdle.

“It’s just another game but it’s a bit more important. We slipped up last year after having a good run, losing to Tigers in the quarter-final and finishing our season early,” he said.

“We need to make sure we learn from that and build on the form we have leading in. We won four out of five in that third round, we had a good little run and the boys were just taking it week by week and putting in the performances and improving.”

Scottish have scored more points than any other team but have conceded the second most, behind only the struggling Cricketers, on defence.

“We have got to make sure we are switched on individually, we can score tries – we have got the best attacking record in the league – it’s just our defence against Kowloon who are very potent,” Hammond said. “Some of their backs can score tries from all over the show.”

Hammond is hoping form overrides the absence of a number of big names from his side, with speedy winger Marcus Ramage, powerful centre Lex Kaleca and lock Kyle Sullivan all missing through injury.

Versatile back Conor Hartley – perhaps Scottish’s most important attacking weapon – is also racing the clock to be fit as he recovers from a head knock.

“We have got four ERP guys out who are a pretty key part of the squad, but in saying that we had five or six out against Tigers and we did the job,” Hammond added.

Valley have a point to prove in their match against HKCC after dropping their last match to Natixis HKFC and falling to third spot.

Playing in the opening week of play-offs is somewhat unchartered territory for the five-time reigning grand champions and their opponents have nothing to lose after winning only one game in the minor round.

"It's exciting for the club and it's my first time in the grand championships so I'm looking forward to it," HKCC coach Brett Wilkinson said.

"There's no pressure on us, since after Christmas our form has improved even though we've lost games so we will just be looking to win those mini-battles and the more we do of that, the better place we will put ourselves in to win.

"Any time you play Valley you have got to match them physically, their set piece is a hugely strong area for them and obviously they have got dangerous backs so we have to turn up physically and mentally right."

Winger Robbie MacDonald and scrum half Liam Slatem, along with front rowers Ben Roberts and Dylan Rogers and flanker Matt Arvier, are all unavailable for the match but Wilkinson is more worried about what he does have at his disposal.

"It's tough but it is the hand we've been dealt and we just have to get on with it. As a group we are excited to see what we can do," he said.