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Glasgow Warriors kicked off their Champions Cup journey in ideal fashion with a valuable bonus-point away victory against Sale.

With the elements at their backs, Sale started the brighter and built a fourteen-point lead within the first quarter. Tries from Ernst van Rhyn and teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

But, the visitors fought back admirably with a pair of scores before the interval. Hooker Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both went over to narrow the gap.

Further second-half tries from Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall extended Glasgow's lead to twelve points. Marius Louw's reply for Sale promised a nervous finish, but the visitors stood strong to secure a major first-round win.

Warriors Take Control Following Half-Time

Play began with a quick try as Sale captain Van Rhyn drove over from close range after only two minutes. An early knock to centre Rekeiti Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Davies into the fray for his European debut.

Davies made an instant contribution. Moving to fly-half, he took a good angle to collect an offload and touch down, extending the home side's lead.

Facing difficult conditions, Glasgow turned to their set-piece to get back into the game. A strong driving maul was touched down by hooker Hiddleston. Prior to the half, Rory Darge forced his way over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a two-point deficit at the interval.

The Scottish club took the lead for the first occasion soon after the second half. A misjudged box-kick was collected by number eight Dempsey, who fed skipper Kyle Steyn to break a challenge and race away to the line.

Now in the ascendancy, Glasgow secured the bonus point when Stafford McDowall powered past a defender to score his 100th appearance for the team. That score completed a sequence of 26 consecutive points.

Sale gave themselves a lifeline when Marius Louw used neat skills to score. The conversion made it a one-score game with time left.

One last chance arose for them from a line-out in the 22, but they failed to secure the ball, confirming Glasgow's triumph.

What's Next?

Sale must bounce back ahead of a journey to face Clermont Auvergne this weekend. In contrast, Glasgow will host six-time winners Toulouse to Scotstoun.

The two sides are drawn in a strong first pool that also includes Saracens 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.

Match Officials

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