Glasgow head coach Sean Lineen has backed his players to translate their “hugely encouraging” pre-season work into a positive start to the competitive action as the dates and kick-off times for the first tranche of RaboDirect PRO12 fixtures were confirmed.

The Warriors now know their schedule up to and including the first leg of the 1872 Cup derby double header against Edinburgh, which will take place at Murrayfield on Monday 26 December (kick-off 5.35pm, live on BBC ALBA).

The date and kick-off time for the return clash at Firhill will be announced shortly, with first news available via the online home of the club, www.glasgowwarriors.org, and our official Twitter feed, @glasgowwarriors.

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN TO SEAN LINEEN'S INTERVIEW IN FULL

Glasgow’s first match in the newly rebranded competition sees them travel to face Ulster at Ravenhill on Friday 2 September (kick-off 7.05pm, live on BBC Northern Ireland). Seven days later, Friday 9 September, reigning champions Munster are the first tournament visitors to Firhilll (kick-off 7.30pm).

Lineen today confirmed that anticipation is high in the Warriors camp after two months of high-intensity preparation.

Speaking exclusively to www.glasgowwarriors.org, he said: “It’s great to have the fixtures confirmed, because we now know the exact point when we’ll get the opportunity to put into action everything we’ve been working so hard on over the summer.

“If the attitude, hunger and application the guys have shown in the last couple of months is any guide, we’ll be absolutely ready for the Ulster match when it rolls around. We’ll be looking to hit the ground running, and the fantastic level of fitness we’ve achieved over the summer puts us in a good position to do that.

“Head strength and conditioning coach Stuart Yule and his team have done an outstanding job, and having the fittest possible group of players on the park is an excellent starting point in terms of the exciting brand of rugby we want to play.”

The Munster clash offers Glasgow the chance to force a repeat of their first home match of the 2009/10 campaign, when they beat the men from Limerick 22-9. In last season’s Firhill opener, the Warriors saw off Leinster 22-19.

Lineen said: “It’s some game for our crowd to have first up – we always have a cracker against Munster. Two years ago we had a good win, then last year we produced 40 minutes of outstanding rugby against them but couldn’t finish the job. A real target for us this year is to do better at home, and we’d love to see as big a crowd as possible behind us for that one.

“The boys are itching to get out on the pitch and show the pride they have in the Glasgow jersey, and the coaches are the same: we can’t wait to get started.”

Before the competitive action begins, Glasgow have two friendly matches, the first against Newcastle Falcons at Firhill on Friday 12 August (kick-off 7.30pm). Under-18s will be given the chance to sample the unique atmosphere of a Firhill Friday completely FREE at this game (provided there is at least one paying adult per group). Adult tickets for the game are priced at £10, with students/senior citizens paying £5. Click HERE to buy, or purchase on the night at Firhill. 

Super value Warriors season tickets are also on sale now. The price of adult (£180) and student/senior citizen (£90) season tickets has been held, while under-18s will pay just £35 to watch the best in RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup rugby. Click HERE for full details and to buy.