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Glasgow Warriors began their Champions Cup journey in ideal fashion with a valuable four-try away victory against Sale.

Taking advantage of the elements at their backs, Sale started the brighter and built a 14-0 lead within the first quarter. Scores from Ernst van Rhyn and youngster Ollie Davies gave them early control.

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

Further after the break tries from captain Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall pushed the Warriors' advantage to twelve points. Marius Louw's reply for Sale set up a tense finale, but the visitors stood strong to secure a major opening victory.

Glasgow Take Control After Interval

Play began with a bang as skipper Ernst van Rhyn scored from short distance after only two minutes. An early injury to centre Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Davies into the fray for his cup debut.

The youngster made an instant contribution. Switching to fly-half, he took a good angle to collect an pass and touch down, making Sale's advantage.

Against challenging conditions, the Warriors used their set-piece to get back into the contest. A powerful line-out drive was finished by front-rower Hiddleston. Just before the half, Rory Darge forced his way over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a two-point game at half-time.

Glasgow seized the advantage for the first occasion early in the second half. A misjudged box-kick was collected by No. 8 Jack Dempsey, who fed skipper Steyn to burst through a tackle and sprint to the line.

Now in the driving seat, they secured the fourth try when Stafford McDowall ran through a tackle to celebrate his 100th appearance for the team. This try completed a sequence of twenty-six unanswered points.

The hosts found a lifeline when Marius Louw showed good footwork to cross. The conversion made it a one-score game with minutes left.

A final chance arose for Sale from a throw in the corner, but they failed to secure the ball, sealing the Warriors' triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale must regroup ahead of a journey to face Clermont Auvergne next Saturday. In contrast, Glasgow will welcome European giants Toulouse to their home ground.

Both sides are drawn in a competitive Pool One that also features the English side 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 (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).