Despite a heavy defeat to Munster last time out, Edinburgh have proven themselves in recent weeks - overcoming a Scarlets side notoriously hard to beat at home before a fine European victory against London Irish.
And Tonks, who unfortunately misses out because of a hamstring injury, believes his side can raise their game once more at BT Murrayfield with the prospect of silverware now so close.
"We've had a good run in our pool games, we've had a home and away win in Bordeaux and another couple of convincing wins against Lyon," Ford, whose side will also welcome back Cornell Du Preez in the matchday 23, told STV.
"The guys have taken a lot of confidence from that, these are tough teams to play against.
"We've also played the Dragons at home earlier in the season and beat them, the guys are certainly feeling confident but when it gets to semi-final rugby anything can happen.
"I'd like to think (Edinburgh are a big game team), we've certainly improved - games that we've needed to win we have, especially a few games of late. In the big games and the ones we have needed to, particularly the European ones, we've done well."
Follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTube channel for extensive match highlights and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on the GUINNESS PRO12
63x46.png){kind=logo}