There will definitely be a Tennent’s National League Division One club in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup with Gala and Heriot’s Blues meeting in the last eight on Saturday.

The clubs met in the league last weekend, with Gala coming out on top 29-21 at Netherdale.

Tries by Robbie Irvine, Fergus Johnston and Ruairi Howarth (2) helped the Maroons to that triumph, Stephen Martin, Louis Meynier and Dom Martin scoring five pointers for Heriot’s.

The other National One club left in the last four is Highland. The Inverness side are strong at home, but they know Tennent’s Premiership leaders Marr will prove the sternest test they have had at Canal Park in recent months.

Curran McMillan comes in at hooker for the Troon side who will certainly not be taking this tie lightly.

“We face a tough physical game against Highland this week, they have an excellent home record,” Marr head coach Craig Redpath said.

“We will have to be at our best to win as their games we have analysed clearly show they developed into an excellent team.”

Second plays third from the Premiership as Currie Chieftains take on Hawick at Malleny Park.

The Greens, who are unbeaten in all competitions since October, bring Dale Johnstone into the front-row and Greg Walker is given a chance at hooker.

There is a forced reshuffle in the Currie backs as Gregor Hunter is unavailable due to a concussion. As a result, Adam Hall starts at 10 in his absence and James McCaig is on the wing.

“Hawick present a huge challenge but we are excited to test ourselves against the in-form Premiership team,” Currie head coach Mark Cairns said.

“We will need to be disciplined, our set piece will need to be strong and we must get off the line in defence to stop their momentum.”

In the final last eight tie, Edinburgh Accies take on Jed-Forest in the capital.

They sit ninth and sixth in the Premiership table currently.

Three men’s National League Cup quarter-finals take place on Saturday.

Strathmore, seventh in Tennent’s National League Division Three, are the lowest raked side left in the competition and they are on the road to Cupar to play Howe of Fife.

Howe are fourth in National Three while Lasswade, third in the same division, will look to cause a shock against National Two promotion chasers Peebles.

Lasswade go into the Hawthornden match off the back of a league win over Berwick.

National Two leaders GHK are away to Laigh Bent to play Hamilton Bulls.

Both are coming into the tie off good away wins on league duty last time out.

The fourth last eight tie between Stewart’s Melville and Preston Lodge takes place next Saturday, February 1.

The semi-finals take place in the men’s Edinburgh Shield on Saturday with Forrester and Royal High meeting and Haddington travelling to Dunbar.

In the East Bowl play-offs/finals on the same day Dalkeith play Gala YM with Lismore heading to Inverleith Park to play Edinburgh Northern.

Sarah Beaney Cup

On Sunday the women’s premier knock-out competition – the Sarah Beaney Cup – gets underway for 2020.

Few can forget the cracking final between Watsonians and Hillhead/Jordanhill last April, it was a great advert for the women’s game live on BBC ALBA, and after the festive break all teams will be itching to get back into competitive action.

Ahead of their opening group match with Garioch at Myreside, holders Watsonians have been boosted by the news that Panashe Muzambe, Molly Wright, Megan Gaffney and Hannah Smith are in the Scotland squad for the Six Nations.

Tennent’s National League Division One side Garioch travel south having finished second in their league before Christmas to take on the Tennent’s Premiership champions.

“We are looking forward to getting back into action and it will be great to welcome Garioch down to Myreside,” Watsonians head coach Freddie Main said.

“The key for us is to keep the momentum going from the league campaign and we know that Garioch will be travelling to give us a hard fought match.”

Last year’s runners-up Hillhead/Jordanhill start with an away match at Stewartry and the Glasgow side have also had good news on the eve of their Cup run.

Their regular skipper Louise McMillan is in the Scotland squad for the Six Nations along with scrum-half Mairi McDonald who impressed off the bench in her first appearance for her country in Spain last weekend.

Also on the first day of action on the road to BT Murrayfield Howe of Fife play Cartha Queens Park, the Glasgow side travelling as favourites having staved off the threat of relegation from the Premiership with a convincing 33-0 win over Ayr in December.

Corstorphine make the short trip to Goldenacre for an Edinburgh derby with Heriot’s Blues. The Blues will be delighted to see Annabel Sergeant in the Scotland Six Nations squad while the Cougars have key forwards Mairi Forsyth and Emma Wassell away on international duty.

This is the first of five matchdays to come between now and March 1 as sides battle to make it through to the knock-out phase.

The women’s National Plate gets underway on Sunday with four matches.

In 2019 Stewartry, now in the Sarah Beaney Cup event, won the Plate so there will be a new name on the trophy in a few months time.

And Glasgow University, runners-up at BT Murrayfield on the back pitches back in April after being edged out 24-19, will want to get off to a flyer.

After a poor National League Division One campaign before Christmas though the students know that the long trip to Inverness Craig Dunain.

Broughton are on the road to Greenock Wanderers with the Edinburgh side to start as favourites given their National One status.

Greenock like runs in events like this though, remember they won the National Bowl to lift Silverware last April.

West of Scotland travel to Violetbank to take on Annan with Kirkcaldy facing Kelso in Fife and both match ups should be closely fought.

The women’s National Bowl does not start until next week.

Some cracking action to come over the next few days then, get along to your local club if you can and watch a match.

Check the fixtures section of the website for all kick-off times