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The Scottish side began their Champions Cup campaign in perfect fashion with a valuable bonus-point win on the road against Sale Sharks.

With the elements at their backs, Sale began the brighter and built a fourteen-point advantage within the first quarter. Tries from Ernst van Rhyn and youngster Ollie Davies put them in command.

But, the visitors responded admirably with two tries prior to the interval. Forward Gregor Hiddleston and back-rower Darge both crossed to narrow the deficit.

Further second-half tries from Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall pushed Glasgow's lead to twelve points. Marius Louw's reply for the hosts set up a tense finish, but Glasgow held firm to claim a significant first-round win.

Glasgow Take Control After Interval

Play began with a quick try as Sale captain Van Rhyn drove over from short distance after only two minutes. An early knock to centre Rekeiti Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Ollie Davies into the action for his European debut.

Davies made an immediate contribution. Moving to fly-half, he took a good support line to collect an offload and touch down, making Sale's lead.

Facing challenging weather, the Warriors turned to their forward power to get back into the contest. A powerful driving maul was touched down by front-rower Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the break, Rory Darge forced his way over, with Adam Hastings' kick making it a two-point game at the interval.

Glasgow took the lead for the first occasion early in the second half. A misjudged kick was gathered by No. 8 Jack Dempsey, who set up skipper Steyn to burst through a tackle and sprint to the line.

With in the ascendancy, they secured the fourth try when Stafford McDowall ran through a defender to celebrate his 100th appearance for the team. That score completed a sequence of twenty-six unanswered points.

Sale found a late hope when Marius Louw used neat footwork to cross. The kick made it a one-score game with minutes left.

One last chance arose for them from a throw in the corner, but they lost the possession, confirming the Warriors' triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale Sharks must regroup ahead of a trip to face Clermont next Saturday. In contrast, Glasgow Warriors will host six-time winners Toulouse to Scotstoun.

Both sides are placed in a strong Pool One that also features the English side and Durban-based team the Sharks.

Teams

Sale Sharks: Reed; O'Flaherty, Ma'asi-White, Louw, Wills; Du Preez, Quirke; McIntyre, Jibulu, John, Burrow, Bamber, Vermeulen, Van Rhyn, T Curry.
Replacements: Caine, Onasanya, Harper, Andrews, B Curry, Warr, Davies, Wehr.

Glasgow Warriors: McKay; Steyn, McDowall, Tuipulotu, Smith; Hastings, Horne; McBeth, Hiddleston, Z Fagerson, Williamson, Cummings, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.
Replacements: Stephen, Sutherland, Talakai, Samuel, Brown, Miller, Dobie, Lancaster.

Match Officials

Referee: Pierre Brousset (French).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France) and Julien Caulier (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).