Townsend welcomes high expectations at Warriors

Last year saw the Warriors come the closest yet to clinching their maiden GUINNESS PRO12 title as they ended the regular season in second and secured their first ever final in the competition.

However Leinster denied them the chance to lift the trophy, inflicting a 34-12 defeat at the RDS to lift their fourth PRO12 crown.

But with constant improvements over the last few seasons, after finishing fourth in 2012 and third in 2013, the Scottish outfit are determined to remain at the business end of the table.

Al Kellock will lead the team for the ninth season in a row and Townsend believes it is players like the lock who set the benchmark for others to follow.

"Players such as Al have set a culture here that is hard-working, it is about players that want to get better and I think they have gained confidence through that consistency as well," he said at the GUINNESS PRO12 launch..

"Our away record last year was superb, which shows the players will front up week-to-week and it has brought with it more crowd support, which has really helped.

"Consistency of investment from Scottish Rugby has helped but also higher expectations.

"Those come from the group first and I am sure our supporters will have very high expectations this year. I believe it is a very good thing."

Glasgow Warriors open their new campaign with a rematch of last season's final, although this time it will be on their own patch at Scotstoun Stadium.

And, though they have won their last eight competitive games at home in all competitions, Townsend admits his side will have their work cut out to extend that run.

"I was delighted to get such a big fixture early on. It focuses your mind as a coach on getting pre-season plans and bringing guys in at different stages of the season," he added.

"We are all aware we have to be at our best to win that first game. I think we played them third game of the season last year at Scotstoun.

"It was a great atmosphere and we had to play really well to win, but we have had some battles against Leinster that we have not managed to win so we will have to be spot on."

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