Glasgow Warriors head coach Sean Lineen says his troops are ready for the visit of Irish giants Leinster, after a satisfying pre-season at the clubs new training centre at Scotstoun.
The new facilities, opened on 1 June, have provided the perfect base for The Warriors league charge, and coupled with some positive pre-season results, Lineen’s side look fresh going into the 2010/11 season.
He said: “It's the most satisfying pre-season I've had as a head coach. We’re training at Scotstoun now so we've been able to do a lot more coaching.
"The pre-season games have been good for us, we've learnt a lot from Dundee right through until Sale and Wasps. There are some areas to improve on but a lot of good stuff as well."
Despite the positive signs, last seasons Magner’s League runners-up Leinster present a stiff first game for The Warriors, and coach Lineen believes his players will have to match the Irish side’s physical playing style.
He continued: "We know it's going to be a massive physical test against Leinster.
"It's always a good battle with Leinster. They've got a lot of youngsters as well but they've also got plenty experience. The back-row, which I rate very highly, is their weapon."
One sour note for Glasgow fans going into the new season is the long-term injury to captain and star-man Alastair Kellock, voted into last seasons Magner’s League Dream Team.
The 29-year old lock has often been the difference between winning and losing in recent games, but Lineen believes he has some ready made replacements at his disposal in youngsters Richie Gray and Tom Ryder.
He added: "Richie Gray knows that Al Kellock's out for a while so he's really taking that mantle. He and Tom Ryder are forming a really good second row combination."
Glasgow Warriors team to play Leinster in the Magners League at Firhill on Friday 3 September (kick-off 7.05pm).
15 Bernardo Stortoni CAPTAIN
14 DTH van der Merwe
13 Max Evans
12 Graeme Morrison
11 Federico Aramburu
10 Ruaridh Jackson
9 Henry Pyrgos
1 Jon Welsh
2 Fergus Thomson
3 Moray Low
4 Tom Ryder
5 Richie Gray
6 Ryan Wilson
7 Chris Fusaro
8 Richie Vernon
Substitutes: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Ed Kalman, 18 Ryan Grant, 19 Aly Muldowney, 20 Rob Harley, 21 Duncan Weir, 22 Hefin O'Hare, 23 Peter Murchie
