Preview: GUINNESS PRO12 Round One

Last year's finalists clash heads for the first time since Leinster lifted their second straight PRO12 trophy, beating their Scottish rivals 34-12 at the RDS.

That was not the first time Leinster have foiled the Warriors' title ambitions, sending them packing at the semi-final stage in each of the previous two campaigns.

However, when Glasgow welcomed Matt O'Connor's men to Scotstoun last season they were not on the end of a defeat - tries for Chris Fusaro and Jerry Yanuyanutawa earned them a 12-6 triumph.

They have had the summer to contemplate what could have been back in May and Gregor Townsend's men are champing at the bit to get off to a flying start this time around.

However, Leinster scrum-half Isaac Boss insists the defending champions are primed and ready for Saturday's clash - live on Sky Sports - as they go in search of a record-breaking third straight PRO12 crown.

"The last few weeks I've been itching to get going," said Boss.

"The last two pre-season games have been good - a little bit of rustiness out and a lot of guys have been coming and going off the pitch, so it'll be good to get a little bit of regularity, and hopefully strengthen combinations and really bring the result on Saturday.

"We've both got high aspirations in this league and we're both very competitive. We're both going over there for the same reason. I expect a tight battle, a good battle, and hopefully we can be on the right end of it."

Sky Sports have linked up with the GUINNESS PRO12 for the first time and Leinster's trip to Glasgow is the second clash to be shown on the channel this week - immediately after Ulster's visit to Scarlets.

The competition will also be shown on BBC Alba, BBC Sport NI and BBC Wales, S4C and TG4, as well as international broadcasters beIN Sports, Sky NZ, Setanta and Go Malta.

Friday's offerings include Ospreys' clash with a new-look Benetton Treviso side and Wales flanker Dan Baker is desperate to avoid any complacency.

Ospreys narrowly missed out on a play-off berth last season while Treviso finished 11^th in the table, but Baker knows that means nothing ahead of a new campaign.

"You never know what they are going to bring. They've had a big pack and scrum," he said.

"We lost in Treviso and Zebre last year so we know we have to perform and start the season on the right footing."

Munster also host Edinburgh on Friday evening, with the Scottish visitors seeking to continue their upward trajectory in the competition.

And back-rower Hamish Watson, who has impressed the Edinburgh hierarchy in pre-season, is counting down the hours to the big occasion.

"It's been a long pre-season so I'm keen to get going," he said. "Our new strength and conditioning coach [Johan Pretorious] has put us through our paces and we're all in a better place for it.

"There's a really positive mood in camp and Munster away will be a good test. I've never played at Thomond Park before so I'm really looking forward to it."

Elsewhere Newport Gwent Dragons take on Connacht Rugby at the Sportsground, while Cardiff Blues round off the weekend with a trip to Italy on Sunday to meet Zebre.

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