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The Scottish side kicked off their Champions Cup campaign in perfect fashion with a valuable four-try win on the road against Sale Sharks.

With the elements at their backs, the hosts began strongly and built a fourteen-point advantage within the first quarter. Scores from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

However, Glasgow fought back admirably with a pair of scores before the interval. Forward Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to reduce the deficit.

Further second-half scores from captain Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall extended Glasgow's lead to twelve points. A late reply for the hosts promised a nervous finale, but Glasgow held firm to claim a significant first-round win.

Glasgow Take Control After Interval

Play started with a quick try as Sale captain Van Rhyn scored from close range after only two minutes. An early knock to centre Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Davies into the fray for his cup debut.

The youngster made an instant impact. Switching to fly-half, he ran a smart support line to collect an offload and touch down, making the home side's advantage.

Facing difficult conditions, the Warriors turned to their forward power to fight back into the game. A strong line-out drive was finished by hooker Hiddleston. Prior to the half, Darge barged over, with Hastings' kick making it a narrow deficit at the interval.

Glasgow took the lead for the first occasion early in the second half. A poor box-kick was collected by number eight Dempsey, who set up skipper Kyle Steyn to burst through a challenge and race away to the line.

Now in the ascendancy, they clinched the bonus point when Stafford McDowall ran through a tackle to celebrate his 100th appearance for the team. This try completed a sequence of twenty-six unanswered points.

The hosts found a late hope when Louw showed neat footwork to score. The conversion made it a five-point game with time left.

One last chance arose for them from a line-out in the corner, but they lost the ball, confirming Glasgow's victory.

What's Next?

Sale Sharks must bounce back ahead of a trip to face Clermont Auvergne this weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow will welcome six-time winners Toulouse to their home ground.

The two sides are placed in a competitive first pool that also includes the English side and Durban-based outfit the Hollywoodbets 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.

Officials

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