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Glasgow Warriors kicked off their Champions Cup journey in ideal fashion with a valuable four-try win on the road against Sale.

With the wind at their backs, the hosts started the brighter and raced to a fourteen-point lead within 20 minutes. Tries from the Sale skipper and youngster Ollie Davies gave them early control.

But, Glasgow fought back well with a pair of scores before half-time. Forward Hiddleston and back-rower Darge both went over to reduce the deficit.

Further second-half tries from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall pushed the Warriors' lead to twelve points. A late reply for the hosts set up a tense finish, but the visitors held firm to claim a major opening win.

Glasgow Seize Initiative Following Half-Time

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

The youngster made an instant contribution. Switching to fly-half, he took a smart angle to take an pass and score, extending Sale's lead.

Against difficult weather, Glasgow turned to their forward power to get back into the game. A strong line-out drive was finished by front-rower Hiddleston. Just before the break, Rory Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a narrow game at the interval.

Glasgow took the lead for the first occasion early in the restart. A misjudged box-kick was collected by number eight Jack Dempsey, who fed skipper Kyle Steyn to break a tackle and sprint to the line.

Now in the driving seat, they secured the fourth try when McDowall ran through a defender to celebrate his 100th appearance for the club. That score capped a sequence of twenty-six consecutive points.

The hosts gave themselves a late hope when Marius Louw showed neat footwork to score. The conversion made it a five-point game with time remaining.

A final chance arose for them from a throw in the 22, but they lost the ball, sealing Glasgow's triumph.

What's Next?

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

Both sides are drawn in a strong Pool One that also features 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 (France).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France) and Julien Caulier (French).
TMO: Tual Trainini (French).