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Glasgow Warriors kicked off their Champions Cup campaign in ideal fashion with a valuable four-try away victory against Sale.

With the wind at their backs, Sale began the brighter and built a fourteen-point lead within 20 minutes. Scores from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

But, the visitors responded admirably with two tries before the interval. Forward Gregor Hiddleston and back-rower Darge both went over to reduce the gap.

Further second-half tries from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall pushed the Warriors' lead to 26-14. A late try for the hosts promised a tense finish, but Glasgow stood strong to secure a significant first-round victory.

Glasgow Take Control After Interval

The match began with a bang as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn scored from close range after just two minutes. A first-half injury to midfielder Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Davies into the action for his European debut.

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

Against difficult weather, the Warriors used their forward power to get back into the game. A strong line-out drive was finished by front-rower Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the break, Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' kick making it a narrow deficit at half-time.

The Scottish club seized the lead for the first time early in the second half. A misjudged box-kick was collected by number eight Jack Dempsey, who set up captain Kyle Steyn to break a tackle and race away to the line.

Now in the ascendancy, Glasgow secured the bonus point when McDowall ran through a tackle to score his century for the club. This try completed a run of twenty-six unanswered points.

Sale gave themselves a lifeline when Marius Louw showed good footwork to score. The kick made it a one-score game with time remaining.

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

Looking Ahead

Sale must regroup ahead of a journey to face Clermont this weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow will host European giants Toulouse to their home ground.

Both sides are drawn in a strong first pool that also features the English side and Durban-based outfit the Sharks.

Line-ups

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 (France) and Julien Caulier (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).