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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.

With the wind at their backs, Sale began strongly and raced to a fourteen-point lead within 20 minutes. Tries from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

However, Glasgow responded well with a pair of scores before the interval. Forward Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both crossed to narrow the deficit.

Additional second-half scores from Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall extended Glasgow's advantage to twelve points. Marius Louw's try for Sale promised a nervous finale, but the visitors held firm to secure a major first-round win.

Warriors Take Control After Half-Time

The match started with a bang as skipper Van Rhyn drove over from close range after just two minutes. An early knock to centre Ma'asi-White introduced teenager Ollie Davies into the fray for his European debut.

The youngster made an instant impact. Switching to fly-half, he took a smart support line to take an offload and score, making the home side's advantage.

Facing difficult conditions, the Warriors used their set-piece to get back into the game. A strong line-out drive was touched down by hooker Hiddleston. Prior to the half, Darge barged over, with Hastings' kick making it a two-point game at half-time.

The Scottish club seized the advantage for the first time early in the restart. A misjudged kick was gathered by number eight Dempsey, who fed captain Steyn to burst through a challenge and sprint to the line.

With in the ascendancy, they secured the fourth try when Stafford McDowall powered past a tackle to celebrate his 100th appearance for the team. That score capped a run of 26 unanswered points.

Sale gave themselves a lifeline when Louw used neat skills to cross. The kick made it a five-point game with time remaining.

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

What's Next?

Sale must bounce back ahead of a trip to face Clermont this weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors will host six-time winners Toulouse to their home ground.

The two sides are placed in a competitive Pool One that also includes the English side and Durban-based team the 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 (French).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France) and Julien Caulier (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).