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Glasgow Warriors kicked off their Champions Cup campaign in perfect fashion with a valuable bonus-point win on the road against Sale.

Taking advantage of the elements at their backs, the hosts started strongly and raced to a fourteen-point advantage within the first quarter. Tries from the Sale skipper and youngster Ollie Davies put them in command.

However, the visitors responded admirably with a pair of scores before half-time. Hooker Hiddleston and back-rower Darge both crossed to reduce the deficit.

Additional second-half scores from captain Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall extended Glasgow's lead to 26-14. Marius Louw's try for the hosts set up a nervous finale, but the visitors stood strong to secure a major opening win.

Glasgow Seize Initiative Following Interval

The match began with a bang as Sale captain Van Rhyn drove over from close range after only two minutes. An early injury to midfielder Ma'asi-White introduced teenager Davies into the fray for his cup debut.

Davies made an immediate contribution. Moving to fly-half, he ran a smart angle to take an offload and touch down, making Sale's advantage.

Against difficult conditions, the Warriors used their set-piece to fight back into the contest. A strong driving maul was touched down by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the break, Darge forced his way over, with Hastings' conversion making it a narrow game at half-time.

Glasgow took the lead for the first time early in the second half. A misjudged box-kick was gathered by number eight Jack Dempsey, who set up skipper Steyn to break a tackle and race away to the line.

Now in the driving seat, they clinched the fourth try when Stafford McDowall powered past a defender to celebrate his 100th appearance for the team. That score capped a sequence of twenty-six consecutive points.

Sale found a lifeline when Marius Louw used neat skills to score. The kick made it a one-score game with minutes left.

One last chance came for Sale from a line-out in the 22, but they lost the possession, confirming Glasgow's victory.

What's Next?

Sale Sharks must regroup ahead of a trip to face Clermont Auvergne this weekend. In contrast, Glasgow Warriors will welcome European giants Toulouse to their home ground.

Both sides are placed in a strong first pool that also features the English side and Durban-based outfit 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 (France).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France) and Julien Caulier (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).