RYAN GRANT has pin-pointed a winning start to the RaboDirect PRO12 as vital to Glasgow's hopes of challenging for the league title.

For the second season on the bounce Warriors will head to Ravenhill to meet the Heineken Cup finalists Ulster on open-ing night in the PRO12.

Despite a Troy Nathan try and three Duncan Weir penalties Glasgow went down 28-14 last term and with a defeat at Munster and a shock home loss to the Italians of Treviso, shipped three defeats in their opening four outings.

Grant has no doubt that the stuttering start last time around was the difference between an away play-off semi-final at European champions Leinster and a home draw at Firhill.

So there is no surprise that the loose-head is hungry to take the Ulstermen's scalp and get Warriors new head coach Gregor Town-send's reign off to a winning start.

The Warriors powerhouse said: "Getting a winning start is absolutely vital for us. If we get the win at Ravenhill then we turn around for the first ever home game against Scarlets on a high and with momen-tum already behind us.

"If you look back at last season we lost at Ulster and went down in three of our opening four games. Although we recovered well from that disappoint-ment ultimately it cost us a home semi-final in the play-offs.

"We are under no illusion as to how tough it will be to get the win at Ravenhill but taking scalps away from home is crucial if you want to be making a concerted challenge for the title. That is our target this season and beating Ulster on their soil would be a great start to that."

Although the Warriors team for Friday's opening night will not be named until later in the week Grant's name is sure to be among the first on the team sheet.

The prop covered himself in glory on Scotland's victorious unbeaten three-game Test tour of Australasia when he played in every minute of every game. Now Grant is determined to translate his fine form in the dark blue into an outstanding contribution to a Glasgow title charge.

Grant said: "I was really pleased with how things went with Scotland and how my form held up and now I just want to make sure that translates in a Glasgow jersey. If we are going to make a challenge for the PRO12 championship then every one of us will have to be at his best consistently.

"I have taken a lot of confidence from how things went down under but Ulster have a very powerful pack and it is vital we get the nudge on them in the set-piece.

"For me their back line is among the most dangerous in the PRO12 and it is crucial we make sure they don't get quick ball. Right now I am just desperate for Friday night to roll round."

London Irish and Scotland centre Joe Ansbro is recovering in hospital after suffering a broken neck against Munster on Friday night.