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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.

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

But, the visitors fought back well with two tries prior to the interval. Hooker Hiddleston and flanker Darge both crossed to narrow the deficit.

Further second-half tries from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall pushed Glasgow's advantage to 26-14. A late try for Sale promised a nervous finish, but Glasgow stood strong to secure a significant opening win.

Glasgow Take Control After Half-Time

Play began with a bang as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn drove over from close range after just two minutes. A first-half injury to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White introduced 19-year-old Ollie Davies into the fray for his European debut.

The youngster made an instant impact. Switching to fly-half, he took a good support line to collect an pass and score, making Sale's advantage.

Facing difficult conditions, the Warriors turned to their forward power to fight back into the contest. A powerful line-out drive was finished by front-rower Hiddleston. Just before the half, Rory Darge barged over, with Hastings' kick making it a narrow deficit at the interval.

Glasgow took the lead for the first time soon after 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 sprint to the line.

Now in the ascendancy, Glasgow secured the fourth try when Stafford McDowall powered past a defender to celebrate his century for the team. This try completed a sequence of 26 unanswered points.

Sale found a late hope when Louw showed good skills to score. The conversion made it a one-score game with minutes left.

A final opportunity arose for them from a line-out in the 22, but they failed to secure the possession, sealing the Warriors' victory.

Looking Ahead

Sale Sharks must bounce back ahead of a trip to face Clermont this weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow will welcome European giants Toulouse to their home ground.

The two sides are placed in a strong first pool that also features Saracens and South African team 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.

Match Officials

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