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The Scottish side began their Champions Cup campaign in ideal fashion with a valuable bonus-point away victory against Sale Sharks.

With the wind at their backs, the hosts began the brighter and built a 14-0 lead within the first quarter. Tries from the Sale skipper and youngster Ollie Davies gave them early control.

However, the visitors responded well with two tries prior to the interval. Forward Hiddleston and flanker Darge both went over to narrow the gap.

Additional second-half scores from Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall pushed Glasgow's lead to twelve points. Marius Louw's reply for the hosts promised a tense finish, but Glasgow stood strong to claim a significant opening victory.

Glasgow Seize Initiative Following Half-Time

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

Davies made an immediate impact. Switching to fly-half, he took a good support line to collect an offload and touch down, making Sale's advantage.

Against difficult weather, Glasgow used their forward power to fight back into the game. A powerful driving maul was finished by front-rower Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the half, Rory Darge forced his way over, with Hastings' kick making it a narrow deficit at half-time.

Glasgow took the advantage for the first time soon after the restart. A poor box-kick was gathered by No. 8 Dempsey, who fed captain Kyle Steyn to break a challenge and race away to the try-line.

With in the ascendancy, they clinched the fourth try when McDowall powered past a tackle to score his century for the club. That score completed a sequence of 26 unanswered points.

The hosts found a late hope when Marius Louw used neat footwork to cross. 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 lost the possession, confirming the Warriors' victory.

Looking Ahead

Sale Sharks must regroup ahead of a trip to face Clermont Auvergne next Saturday. In contrast, Glasgow Warriors will welcome European giants Toulouse to their home ground.

Both sides are placed in a strong Pool One that also features the English side and South African outfit 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.

Officials

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