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

Taking advantage of the elements at their backs, Sale started the brighter and built a fourteen-point lead within 20 minutes. Tries from Ernst van Rhyn and youngster Ollie Davies gave them early control.

However, the visitors fought back well with two tries before the interval. Forward Gregor Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to narrow the deficit.

Additional second-half scores from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall extended Glasgow's lead to 26-14. Marius Louw's try for the hosts set up a tense finale, but the visitors stood strong to claim a significant first-round win.

Glasgow Take Control After Interval

The match began with a quick try as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn scored from close range after just two minutes. An early injury to midfielder Ma'asi-White introduced 19-year-old Davies into the action for his European debut.

Davies made an immediate contribution. Moving to fly-half, he took a good support line to collect an pass and score, making Sale's advantage.

Facing difficult weather, the Warriors used their set-piece to get back into the contest. A powerful line-out drive was finished by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the break, Rory Darge forced his way over, with Adam Hastings' kick making it a two-point deficit at the interval.

The Scottish club took the advantage for the first time soon after the restart. A poor box-kick was gathered by number eight Dempsey, who set up captain Steyn to break a tackle and sprint to the try-line.

Now in the driving seat, Glasgow secured the fourth try when McDowall ran through a defender to score his 100th appearance for the team. That score completed a sequence of 26 unanswered points.

The hosts gave themselves a lifeline when Marius Louw used good skills to score. The kick made it a five-point game with minutes left.

A final opportunity arose for Sale from a line-out in the 22, but they failed to secure the ball, confirming the Warriors' triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale must bounce back ahead of a journey to face Clermont next Saturday. In contrast, Glasgow will welcome European giants Toulouse to Scotstoun.

The two sides are drawn in a strong first pool that also includes the English side and South African 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.

Match Officials

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