Nigel Carolan says Glasgow Warriors 'raring to go' as they look to 'attack' new season

The Glasgow Warriors are aiming to “attack” the new season as they begin their defence of the United Rugby Championship Trophy.

Franco Smith’s side landed the trophy for the first time since 2015 after a hard-fought 21-16 victory over the Bulls in South Africa back in June.

And as they prepare to take on Ulster in the opening match of the new campaign on Saturday it’s now full steam ahead for the Scotstoun club.

The game at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast comes three months after they were crowned champions and there is a determination amongst their ranks to repeat the success by winning back-to-back titles.

Assistant coach Nigel Carolan said: “Pressure is a privilege, and it’s the pressure of having won it.

“We are the current holders, and for us it’s not about defending it, we’ve got to really attack it.

“We are raring to go and we know it’s going to be a big ask again, but we understand the hard work involved and we are willing to do that.

“We absolutely can (win it again).”

Among five summer recruits at Scotstoun is Adam Hastings, who is back three years after his first spell came to an end.

And Carolan is excited to see him back in a Warriors jersey and believes the supporters are in for a treat.

He said: “If the supporters are half as excited as the coaching staff and the other players who have been here, then they are in for a treat.

“He is a guy with a really calm head, but he is a bag of tricks, and in the last few weeks working with him I have thoroughly enjoyed it. He adds his own je ne sais quoi to the plays, and he certainly has a bit of X-factor as well.”