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Glasgow Warriors kicked off their Champions Cup campaign in perfect fashion with a crucial four-try win on the road against Sale.

With the wind at their backs, the hosts began strongly and built a fourteen-point advantage within 20 minutes. Scores from Ernst van Rhyn and teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

However, the visitors responded well with two tries prior to the interval. Hooker Gregor Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to narrow the gap.

Additional after the break tries from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' advantage to 26-14. A late try for Sale set up a nervous finale, but Glasgow held firm to claim a significant opening victory.

Glasgow Take Control After Interval

The match began with a bang as skipper Van Rhyn scored from close range after only two minutes. An early knock to centre Ma'asi-White introduced 19-year-old Davies into the fray for his cup debut.

Davies made an immediate contribution. Switching to fly-half, he took a smart support line to take an offload and touch down, making the home side's advantage.

Against difficult weather, the Warriors used their forward power to fight back into the game. A strong line-out drive was finished by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the half, Darge forced his way over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a two-point game at the interval.

The Scottish club took the lead for the first occasion soon after the restart. A misjudged box-kick was gathered by No. 8 Dempsey, who set up captain Kyle Steyn to break a tackle and sprint to the line.

With in the driving seat, they clinched the fourth try when McDowall ran through a tackle to score his 100th appearance for the team. This try capped a sequence of 26 unanswered points.

The hosts gave themselves a late hope when Marius Louw showed good skills to cross. The conversion made it a five-point game with time left.

A final opportunity arose for them from a throw in the corner, but they failed to secure the ball, confirming Glasgow's triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale Sharks must regroup ahead of a trip to face Clermont Auvergne this weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors will welcome six-time winners Toulouse to Scotstoun.

The two 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 (France) and Julien Caulier (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).