Glasgow Warriors head coach Sean Lineen has welcomed this afternoon’s announcement of kick-off times for the first half of the Magners League season.

Of the first 12 games of the season, Glasgow have seven of these contests against the cream of Irish, Italian and Welsh opponents – not to mention their ancient rivals Edinburgh – at their Firhill fortress.  Five of those games will be on Friday nights.

Cheer on big Al

Lineen told www.glasgowwarriors.org: “Our fans love Friday night rugby and have created a special atmosphere at Firhill, especially last season.

“A Friday night, cheering on their Glasgow Warriors, is a great start to the weekend and I’m pleased that we’re able to deliver that on a regular basis for the opening salvoes in the Magners League.”

Glasgow open their Magners League campaign on Friday 3 September when Leinster will be the visitors.  That mouth-watering clash will also mark the start of BBC ALBA’s live coverage of the Magners League with a 7.05pm kick-off.

There’s an eight day wait before game two – a trip to familiar foes the Dragons down in Newport – before Connacht come to Firhill on Friday 17 September.  It’s another battle against the Emerald Isle’s finest the following Friday with Munster guaranteed a warm Firhill welcome.

Full details of the confirmed fixtures are listed below.

Lineen added: “A new season is always an exciting time. I’m delighted that BBC ALBA are coming on board, showing a number of live games including our traditional derby matches against Edinburgh in the Christmas and New Year period.”

Glasgow Warriors in the Magners League Season 2010-2011

Friday 3 September v Leinster, Firhill, kick-off 7.05pm, BBC ALBA

Sunday 12 September v Dragons, Rodney Parade, Newport, kick-off 4.10pm, S4C

Friday 17 September v Connacht, Firhill, kick-off 7.30pm

Friday 24 September v Munster, Firhill, kick-off 7.30pm

Friday 1 October v Ulster, Ravenhill, kick-off 7.05pm, BBC NI

Sunday 24 October v Ospreys, Firhill, kick-off 4.10pm, S4C

Friday 29 October v Scarlets, Parc y Scarlets, kick-off TBC, BBC Wales

Friday 5 November v Aironi Rugby (Italy), Firhill, kick-off 7.30pm

Weekend of Friday 26 November v Cardiff Blues, Cardiff City Stadium, kick-off TBC

Friday 3 December v Benetton Treviso, Firhill, kick-off 7.30pm

Monday 27 December v Edinburgh, Firhill, kick-off 7.05pm, BBC ALBA

Sunday 2 January v Edinburgh, Murrayfield, kick-off 5.35pm, BBC ALBA

The remaining fixture dates and kick-off times are still to be finalised:

Weekend of Friday 7 January v Munster, Musgrave Park, Cork

Weekend of Friday 11 February v Cardiff Blues, Firhill

Weekend of Friday 18 February v Connacht, Sportsground, Galway

Weekend of Friday 25 February v Dragons, Firhill

Weekend of Friday 4 March v Ospreys, Liberty Stadium, Swansea

Weekend of Friday 25 March v Ulster, Firhill

Weekend of Friday 1 April v Aironi Rugby, Stadio Zaffanella

Weekend of Friday 15 April v Benetton Treviso, Stadio Monigo

Weekend of Friday 22 April v Scarlets, Firhill

Weekend of Friday 6 May v Leinster, RDS, Dublin

Magners League semi-finals: weekend of Saturday 14 May

Magners League final: weekend of Saturday 28 May