The big lock will be calling lineouts against Leinster and he'll also come up against Nathan Hines, the Scottish international and rival for Richie's role in the national team.
"There's a couple of points to prove there and I'm pretty sure Wagga will have plenty to say as usual," said Richie in the Courier.
"He likes to get amongst it and to show who is boss, even in training, and I think he sees me very much as a junior partner there, so there's a big challenge to start off with.
"It's been a quick growing up process for me and I've been given this role and asked to be more of a leader on the pitch, but the bottom line is I'm just a young guy who is thriving on playing professional rugby.
"I think my main aim this year is to have a consistent season, because it did tail off for me a little last year and I can't afford for that to happen.
"But I can't concentrate on myself because I have this role in following Al Kellock who is one of the best lineout callers in world rugby, and it has to be a smooth transition at least until he comes back.
"Generally I'm quite a quiet guy in training and on the pitch but I am keen to take this responsibility on and do as best as I can.
"We had a fantastic season last year and the aim has to be to go further, to the final if possible, even though this is going to be a very tight and tough league.
"We were all saying after the final pre-season game that we don't want to lose at Firhill again this season, and that starts with Leinster."