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The Scottish side began their Champions Cup journey in perfect fashion with a valuable four-try away victory against Sale Sharks.

Taking advantage of the elements at their backs, the hosts began the brighter and built a fourteen-point lead within the first quarter. Scores from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies gave them early control.

But, the visitors fought back admirably with a pair of scores prior to half-time. Forward Gregor Hiddleston and back-rower Darge both went over to narrow the gap.

Further after the break tries from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall pushed the Warriors' advantage to 26-14. A late reply for Sale set up a nervous finish, but the visitors stood strong to secure a major opening win.

Glasgow Take Control After Interval

Play began with a bang as skipper Van Rhyn drove over from close range after only two minutes. An early knock to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White brought teenager Davies into the action for his European debut.

Davies made an instant impact. Switching to fly-half, he took a smart angle to collect an pass and score, making the home side's lead.

Against difficult weather, Glasgow used their forward power to fight back into the game. A powerful line-out drive was finished by hooker Hiddleston. Just before the half, Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a two-point deficit at half-time.

Glasgow took the advantage for the first occasion early in the second half. A poor box-kick was gathered by number eight Dempsey, who fed skipper Kyle Steyn to break a tackle and race away to the line.

With in the driving seat, Glasgow secured the bonus point when McDowall ran through a defender to score his century for the club. That score capped a sequence of twenty-six consecutive points.

Sale found a lifeline when Marius Louw showed good skills to score. The conversion made it a five-point game with time remaining.

One last chance arose for Sale from a throw in the corner, but they lost the ball, sealing Glasgow's triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale Sharks must bounce back ahead of a trip to face Clermont this weekend. In contrast, Glasgow Warriors will host European giants Toulouse to Scotstoun.

Both sides are drawn in a strong Pool One that also features Saracens 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 (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (French).