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The Scottish side began their Champions Cup campaign in ideal fashion with a valuable four-try win on the road against Sale.

With the elements at their backs, the hosts started the brighter and built a fourteen-point advantage within 20 minutes. Tries from the Sale skipper and youngster Ollie Davies gave them early control.

However, the visitors fought back admirably with a pair of scores prior to the interval. Forward Hiddleston and back-rower Darge both went over to narrow the gap.

Further second-half tries from captain Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall pushed the Warriors' lead to 26-14. A late try for the hosts set up a tense finale, but the visitors stood strong to claim a major opening victory.

Glasgow Take Control Following Half-Time

Play started with a bang as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn scored from close range after only two minutes. An early injury to centre Ma'asi-White introduced teenager Davies into the fray for his European debut.

The youngster made an instant impact. Moving to fly-half, he took a smart support line to collect an pass and score, extending Sale's lead.

Against difficult weather, Glasgow turned to their set-piece to get back into the contest. A powerful driving maul was finished by front-rower Hiddleston. Just before the break, Rory Darge forced his way over, with Adam Hastings' kick making it a two-point game at the interval.

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

Now in the ascendancy, they clinched the bonus point when McDowall powered past a defender to score his 100th appearance for the team. This try completed a sequence of twenty-six unanswered points.

The hosts found a lifeline when Marius Louw used good footwork to cross. The kick made it a five-point game with time remaining.

One last opportunity came for them from a line-out in the corner, but they failed to secure the ball, sealing Glasgow's victory.

What's Next?

Sale Sharks must regroup ahead of a trip to face Clermont this weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors will welcome six-time winners Toulouse to Scotstoun.

The two sides are placed in a competitive Pool One that also features the English side and Durban-based team the Hollywoodbets 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.

Officials

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