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Glasgow Warriors kicked off their Champions Cup campaign in perfect fashion with a valuable four-try away victory against Sale Sharks.

Taking advantage of the wind at their backs, Sale began strongly and raced to a 14-0 advantage within the first quarter. Scores from Ernst van Rhyn and teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

But, the visitors responded well with a pair of scores before half-time. Hooker Gregor Hiddleston and back-rower Darge both crossed to reduce the gap.

Additional after the break scores from captain Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' lead to 26-14. Marius Louw's try for the hosts promised a tense finish, but the visitors held firm to claim a significant opening victory.

Glasgow Take Control Following Half-Time

Play started with a bang as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn scored from short distance after only two minutes. An early knock to midfielder Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Davies into the action for his European debut.

Davies made an immediate impact. Switching to fly-half, he took a good angle to take an pass and touch down, extending the home side's advantage.

Against challenging conditions, the Warriors used their forward power to fight back into the game. A strong line-out drive was touched down by hooker Hiddleston. Prior to the break, Rory Darge forced his way over, with Adam Hastings' kick making it a narrow game at half-time.

The Scottish club seized the lead for the first time soon after the second half. A misjudged kick was gathered by No. 8 Jack Dempsey, who fed skipper Kyle Steyn to burst through a tackle and race away to the line.

Now in the driving seat, they clinched the fourth try when Stafford McDowall ran through a tackle to score his 100th appearance for the club. That score completed a sequence of twenty-six consecutive points.

The hosts gave themselves a lifeline when Marius Louw used neat footwork to cross. The conversion made it a five-point game with time remaining.

A final opportunity arose for Sale from a throw in the 22, but they failed to secure the ball, sealing Glasgow's triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale must regroup ahead of a journey to face Clermont this weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow will host European giants Toulouse to Scotstoun.

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