OFA FAINGA'ANUKU believes Sunday's opening Heineken Cup tie at Northampton is the most important of his professional career.

The Tonga internationalist loosehead signed for Glasgow on a short-term contract in September 2012 that will tie him, initially, to Warriors until January.

But after making his first two appearances for Glasgow off the bench in the RaboDirect PRO12 victories over Zebre and Cardiff, Ofa is desperate for his first start for Gregor Townsend's men.

While with Northampton's front row featuring Soane Tonga'uiha at loosehead, Ofa will be up against his main rival for the Tonga No.1 shirt.

He said: "I have signed on a short-term deal until the end of the year and I'd love to extend that. The best way to do just that is to hopefully play and do as well as I can in the big games for Glasgow.

"Obviously it doesn't get any bigger than the opening Heineken Cup tie against the English Premiership leaders so I am looking at this as a massive opportunity – if selected.

"Also in the Northampton front row they have Soane Tonga'uiha at loosehead and although we will not be up against each other directly, if the Glasgow pack gets on top then it will be one up for me.

"Soane was picked over me at the Rugby World Cup and I guess I have a point to prove. I would imagine someone from the Tonga international set up will be taking the game in so fingers crossed I am involved and playing for a Glasgow team that can record a famous win.

"With so much at stake this is pretty much as important as any game I have ever played in my professional career if not the most important."

Fainga'anuku made a massive contribution to Warriors 18-3 victory at Cardiff last time out with one bone-jarring tackle on Wales centre Jamie Roberts a monster hit that will live long in the memory.

He said: "I have been looking to come overseas and enjoy new challenges and experience the European game. When the chance came up to play with Glasgow and I jumped at it.

"Obviously I grew up playing rugby league but switched to union in my late teens and got picked up by the Waratahs."

OFA added: "I have twice toured the northern hemisphere with Tonga and played with the Eastern Suburbs club in Sydney.

"But now I am just excited about the new challenge I have at Glasgow. It was great to come on as a sub for my first two games but now I am really hoping for the chance to start and show what I can do."

But Ofa admits the chance to play in Warriors Pool Four Heineken Cup opener would represent a boyhood dream.

He said: "I have watched the Heineken Cup growing up and in Australia and it is a world famous tournament. Everyone in the Southern Hemisphere knows about it.

"I have seen some great players play in great matches in this tournament over the years and now it is hard to believe I may be about to play in it.

"But what is vital in the group stages is that you start well and going to Northampton, who I believe are unbeaten at home this season, is going to be a massive challenge for us.

"But we are four games unbeaten and we will go there with confidence and determination to get that win."