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

Taking advantage of the elements at their backs, Sale began the brighter and built a fourteen-point lead within 20 minutes. Tries from Ernst van Rhyn and youngster Ollie Davies gave them early control.

However, the visitors fought back well with two tries before half-time. Hooker Hiddleston and flanker Darge both crossed to narrow the gap.

Additional second-half tries from captain Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall extended Glasgow's advantage to 26-14. Marius Louw's try for the hosts promised a tense finale, but the visitors held firm to secure a significant first-round victory.

Warriors Take Control Following Half-Time

Play started with a quick try as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn drove over from short distance after just two minutes. An early injury to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White brought teenager Davies into the fray for his European debut.

Davies made an instant impact. Moving to fly-half, he ran a good support line to take an offload and score, making the home side's lead.

Facing challenging weather, the Warriors turned to their forward power to fight back into the contest. A powerful driving maul was touched down by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the half, Rory Darge barged over, with Hastings' kick making it a narrow game at half-time.

The Scottish club seized the lead for the first occasion early in the second half. A poor kick was collected by No. 8 Jack Dempsey, who fed captain Kyle Steyn to burst through a tackle and sprint to the line.

With in the ascendancy, Glasgow clinched the fourth try when McDowall powered past a defender to celebrate his century for the club. That score completed a run of twenty-six unanswered points.

Sale gave themselves a late hope when Marius Louw used good footwork to score. The conversion made it a one-score game with minutes remaining.

A final opportunity came for Sale from a line-out in the 22, but they lost the ball, sealing Glasgow's victory.

Looking Ahead

Sale Sharks must bounce back ahead of a trip to face Clermont Auvergne next Saturday. Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors will welcome European giants Toulouse to Scotstoun.

The two sides are drawn in a strong Pool One that also features Saracens and Durban-based outfit 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 (French) and Julien Caulier (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).