With the 2019/20 and 2020/21 season both hampered by Covid-19, reaching this point in the competition will no doubt feel that bit more special, and now four teams are just one step away from competing for the trophy.

Currie Chieftains, Marr RFC, Hawick RFC and Edinburgh Academical FC each booked their place in the semi-final playoffs this weekend, after finishing in the top four poll positions in the league table after 18 rounds of competition.

​Currie Chieftains v Edinburgh Academical FC

Riding out ahead of the rest of the competition in the league standings, having amassed 83 points, Currie will host this weekend’s semi-final against Accies.

With 17 consecutive wins out of 18 on their report card, Currie Chieftains no doubt go into Saturday’s fixture against Edinburgh Accies as the front runners.

However just three weeks ago, Edinburgh Accies put Currie under real pressure to maintain their winning streak, and at full-time only four points separated to sides with Currie narrowly claiming the win (20-24).

Callum Black, captain for Edinburgh Accies, relishes the challenge that lies ahead of him and his team-mates, as they are eager to demonstrate their skill set, saying: “I am really excited and looking forward to tomorrow. It is a great opportunity for us as players to show what we are capable of and showcase the hard work we and the coaches have put in over the season.

“I know the boys have worked hard and deserve to be here, and to step up and show our potential in a knockout game. I am sure this game will live up to and surpass all expectations.”

Accies Head Coach, Iain Berthinussen added: “We are heading to Malleny Park to play the stand-out team in the league, what a challenge. The last few weeks have been great, and I couldn’t have asked more from all involved in getting ready for this game.”

Currie Chieftains
15. Charlie Brett 14. Ryan Daley 13. Joe Reynolds 12. DJ Innes 11. Cammy Meager 10. Jamie Forbes 9. Paddy Boyer 1. Graeme Carson 2. Ryan Stewart 3. AP McWilliam 4. Hamish Ferguson 5. Cody Roman 6. Wallace Nelson 7. Fergus Scott CAPTAIN 8. Rhys Davies

Replacements
16. Sean Fisher 17. Gregor Scougall 18. Cairn Ramsey 19. Gregor Nelson 20. Cameron Lessels 21. James McCraig 22. Fraser Sayers

Edinburgh Accies
15. Vincent Hart 14. Mark Sinclair 13. Robbie Kent 12. Neil Armstrong 11. Ben Appleson 10. Jamie Loomes 9. Ben Grainger 1. Cole Imrie 2. Callum Black CAPTAIN 3. Clement Lacour 4. Jake Mills 5. Finlay Simpson 6. Jamie Sole 7. Matthew Walker 8. Ruairi Campbell

Replacements
16. Fraser McAslan 17. Archie Winngton-Ingrim 18. Ryan Montgomery 19. Struan Whittaker 20. Sean Hagerty 21. Max Love 22. Max Wallace

Banner photo credit of Edinburgh Accies: John Wright

Kick-off 3pm at Malleny Park, Balerno

​Marr RFC v Hawick RFC

Marr concluded their run in the Premiership in second place with 15 wins and 73 points to their name, allowing the Troon side to book themselves a home play-off slot with a second-place finish.

Hawick’s return of 13 wins and 62 points was enough to see them secure third. They were the only side to defeat Currie in the regular season, doing so in their first fixture back in September.

The spoils have been shared equally in the two previous meetings between the Marr and Hawick this season.

The Borders outfit had the edge over Marr on their home turf back in October (26-19), but the West Coast side got their revenge in February with an emphatic 21-10 victory.

Hawick

15. Bailey Donaldson 14. Morgan Tait 13. Andrew Mitchell 12. Glen Welsh 11. Ronan McKean 10. Kirk Ford 9. Gareth Welsh 1. Shawn Muir 2. Ross Graham 3. Tom Hope 4. Rory Smith 5. Shaun Fairbairn 6. Calum Renwick 7. Connor Sutherland 8. Stuart Graham

Replacements
16. Ruaridh MacLeod 17. Matt Carryer 18. Corey Tait 19. Murray Renwick 20. Deaglan Lightfoot 21. Logan Gordon-Woodley 22. James Delaney

Marr

15. Dougie Steele 14. Scott Bickerstaff 13. Gregor Paxton 12. Colin Sturgeon 11. Jack Scott 10. Calum Inglis 9. Grant Baird 1. Brandon Sweet 2. Blair Jardine 3. Craig Miller 4. David Andrew 5. Fraser Grant CAPTAIN 6. Angus Johnston 7. Robert Brown 8. Ben Johnston

Replacements
16. Curran McMillan 17. William Farquhar 18. Gordon Reid 19. Mackenzie Pearce 20. Sinjin Broad 21. Matt O’Sullivan 22. Nairn Calder

Kick-off 3pm at Fullarton Park, Troon