Since becoming a Warrior in 2005, Welsh-born Hefin O’Hare has endeared himself to the Warriors faithful with a string of lung-busting performances and a list of tries that saw him most recently called up to the Scotland 7s squad where he helped Scotland reach their first ever cup semi-final in London before repeating that feat at the Series finale at Murrayfield the following weekend.

www.glasgowwarriors.org caught up with the fans’ favourite adopted son to find out more his take on seasons past and ahead…

“We [Glasgow] got off to a good start last season but we lost a couple of vital games and if we had won those games we would have been in a much better position and perhaps we can accept the accusation that we weren’t consistent but if we can rectify that then it would be a real bonus to our finishing spot in the league,” explained O’Hare.

“I’ve been a professional rugby player for 11 years now, so I’ve seen all the sides: I’ve seen everyone get excited at the start of the year, I’ve seen new people come through and I’ve seen player’s form dip and rise but my hope is with my experience comes consistency.

“I really enjoy every time I step onto the field, the 7s has to be a particular highlight for me and reaching two back-to-back semi-finals was just brilliant.”

Despite playing a full season at Glasgow and being called up to sevens duty, the energetic winger opted against some summer down time and instead opted for a gruelling solo 900-mile cycle from Lands-End to John O’Groats before getting straight back into training with the Warriors the following week.

Hefin added: “The travels on the bike were great fun, the first couple of days were tough with tyre problems and things like that but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

“I’m a believer in that you’ve got to keep going. If you sit down and relax I think your mind switches off so I think ‘healthy body, healthy mind’. As long as you enjoy what you’re doing I think it’s all good.

“The lads who were involved in the sevens and the guys who weren’t involved in any representative rugby came back about two weeks ago so we’ve just been doing weight sessions to try and get bigger in the gym by putting on weight and muscle.

“This Monday everyone, including all the Scotland A boys, were back and all the fitness started again so the full squad’s back and running around and everyone’s looking pretty sharp.
 
“We want to be a lot fitter and we want to be able to get to and compete at breakdowns quicker. We want to run teams off their feet by playing an exciting brand of running rugby.

“I definitely want to be involved in the sevens again but my main goal is to be a consistent first team starter for Glasgow and claim a starting place on the wing for myself. I think that towards the end of last season that was coming out of me again as I started to get some form.”

On the prospect of facing Magners League champions Munster in the season opener, Hefin added: “It’s a good time to play them – the British Lions players won’t be back playing for the clubs until the Heineken Cup while we’ll be a full strength in front of a home crowd.

“If we can kick the season off with a good start then I think we can only get better from there and our season will start to snowball and get bigger and better.”

ALL THE BIG NAMES HAVE SIGNED… NOW IT’S YOUR TURN
The players have all signed for The Biggest Team in Glasgow and now it’s your turn.
 
The 2009/10 Glasgow Warriors season ticket has more benefits than ever before. On top of a match-by-match saving of over £100 (based on an adult season ticket), the new deal includes free entry for you and a friend for the pre-season friendly against London Wasps, entry into the ticket ballot for RBS 6 Nations tickets, free admission to the away 1872 Cup match against Edinburgh in addition to two further Edinburgh fixtures at Murrayfield plus free entry into a Partick Thistle league game.
 
Season ticket holders aged 12 and under will also be entered into the exclusive prize draw to run out with the Warriors as the official mascot at a Glasgow home game.
 
Season ticket prices remain at just £30 for under 18s with concessions and students enjoying all the action for only £80. Adult season tickets are priced at £160.
 
Call the ticket hotline on 0844 800 3490 or log onto www.glasgowwarriors.org to add your name to the list of signings for The Biggest Team in Glasgow.