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The Scottish side began their Champions Cup journey in ideal fashion with a crucial four-try win on the road against Sale Sharks.

Taking advantage of the elements at their backs, Sale started strongly and built a fourteen-point lead within 20 minutes. Tries from Ernst van Rhyn and youngster Ollie Davies put them in command.

However, Glasgow fought back well with two tries prior to the interval. Forward Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both crossed to reduce the deficit.

Additional after the break tries from captain Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall pushed Glasgow's advantage to twelve points. Marius Louw's reply for the hosts promised a tense finish, but the visitors stood strong to secure a major opening victory.

Warriors Take Control After Interval

Play started with a bang as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn scored from short distance after only two minutes. A first-half knock to centre Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Ollie Davies into the fray for his European debut.

The youngster made an instant impact. Switching to fly-half, he ran a smart angle to collect an pass and touch down, extending Sale's lead.

Against challenging conditions, Glasgow turned to their set-piece to fight back into the contest. A powerful driving maul was finished by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the half, Rory Darge forced his way over, with Hastings' kick making it a narrow game at half-time.

The Scottish club took the advantage for the first time soon after the second half. A misjudged box-kick was gathered by number eight Dempsey, who set up captain Steyn to break a challenge and race away to the line.

With in the driving seat, Glasgow clinched the bonus point when Stafford McDowall powered past a tackle to score his 100th appearance for the team. This try capped a sequence of 26 unanswered points.

Sale gave themselves a lifeline when Marius Louw showed neat footwork to score. The kick made it a one-score game with minutes remaining.

One last chance arose for them from a line-out in the corner, but they lost the ball, confirming Glasgow's triumph.

What's Next?

Sale must regroup ahead of a journey to face Clermont next Saturday. Meanwhile, Glasgow will host six-time winners Toulouse to Scotstoun.

Both sides are placed in a strong Pool One that also features the English side and Durban-based outfit 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.

Officials

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