Watch the HKRU Men's Premiership Grand Championship Final: Societe Generale Valley vs Kowloon RFC

Kowloon are out to mark their 40th anniversary in style, while Valley chase their 5th straight title in the Grand Championship Final this weekend.

Men’s Premiership Grand Final: kick off 6:30 pm HKT Saturday March 11:

Scroll down for live streams of the League 1 (ko 2:45 pm) and Women’s Premiership (ko 4:30 pm) finals

A Societe Generale Valley side chasing their fifth consecutive grand championship locks horns with a Kowloon outfit looking to finish their 40th season on a high in the RugbyPass.com Premiership Grand Championship final on Saturday.

The decider (6.30pm at King’s Park) sees the top two teams from the Premiership campaign face off in what promises to be a tough and entertaining encounter.

Of the three matches between the teams this year, Kowloon posted victories (20-13 and 27-13) in the two most recent games, while Valley took the first back in October 24-18.

Kowloon are playing in their first grand championship final since 2013, with their last major success the 2012-13 league title, a repeat of their successful league campaign from the previous season. They were runners-up in the 2005/06 Grand Final and last won the big one in 1996/97.

Coach James Scaysbrook is hopeful of taking a similar side into this week’s game as the one that narrowly beat Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers in the semi-finals, with no major injury concerns.

One possible addition to the squad is former England international Olly Barkley, who recently returned to Hong Kong but helped Scaysbrook from the sidelines last weekend.

“He’s fit and available so we’ll make a read on that at the back end of the week and make a decision,” Scaysbrook said.

“Everyone’s fit and ready to go. It’s great for the club, it’s a big year with the 40th anniversary and it’s a good way to finish off the season by being in a big game.”

While Scaysbrook admits his side’s winning record against Valley this season will give them confidence, he knows it counts for nothing come Saturday.

“We will take confidence from that but we will certainly be working very hard this week,” he said.

“It’s something to look back on, but we know that this is different in that finals are a one-off. They’ve got a big, strong forward pack and a wealth of experience and we know what they’re going to bring.”

Kowloon will have the added advantage of stepping out on their home ground.

Kowloon are the most improved side this season after winning only three league matches last season. However, a good run in last season’s Grand Championship play-offs, ending in a one-point semi-final loss to Herbert Smith Freehills HKCC, showed signs of good things to come and against Valley Scaysbrook is expecting his charges to continue playing as they have been all season.

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“What I’m looking for is what I’ve been asking of the lads all year in that we have a huge work ethic for one another and we try and link together as many positive actions as possible. It’s the same message we have been pushing all season and that’s all we ask of the group,” said Scaysbrook.

Valley enter as favourites after comfortably winning the league championship, with their history of success in big matches also working in their favour.  The chance to make it five grand championships on the trot will be added motivation and coach Andrew Kelly is looking forward to a big day for the club.

“We’re in the final, our Knights are in a final and our premiership ladies are in a final as well, so it’s brilliant for the club. Hopefully we get three out of three,” he said.

Prop Grant Kemp and speedy back Ryan Meacheam come in to the Valley side that took care of Natixis HKFC last weekend and Kelly knows exactly what his team is in for.

“I expect a final,” he said. “It’s going to be a very, very tough battle. They’ve beaten us twice this season so we’re going to have to work hard to get the win.”

Kelly is hoping that the work his side has been doing this week around the set piece will “bear fruit” come Saturday and is not reading anything into Kowloon’s home advantage at King’s Park.

“They might get a bit of an advantage, they’re used to it up there, but when it’s a final it’s almost like form goes out the window and both teams will have to turn up to win the game,” he said.

Kowloon’s run of form has revolved largely around the slick work of their backs and while there are some stars in their line-up, the ability of everyone to do a job has been crucial to their success.

“They’ve got good players across the park. Definitely their 10, Jack [Neville], he’s been fantastic for them this year,” Kelly said.

“Also their number eight [Turoa Stephens] has been great at the back of the scrum, but they have also got other players that can create and punish you if you switch off.”