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Glasgow Warriors began their Champions Cup campaign in ideal fashion with a crucial four-try away victory against Sale.

Taking advantage of the wind at their backs, Sale began the brighter and raced to a fourteen-point advantage within the first quarter. Tries from the Sale skipper and youngster Ollie Davies put them in command.

However, Glasgow responded admirably with two tries before half-time. Forward Hiddleston and flanker Darge both went over to narrow the gap.

Further after the break tries from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall pushed Glasgow's advantage to 26-14. Marius Louw's reply for Sale promised a tense finale, but the visitors held firm to secure a significant opening victory.

Glasgow Take Control Following Interval

Play started with a bang as skipper Van Rhyn scored from close range after just two minutes. A first-half injury to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Davies into the fray for his cup debut.

Davies made an instant impact. Moving to fly-half, he took a smart angle to collect an pass and touch down, extending Sale's lead.

Against challenging conditions, Glasgow turned to their forward power to get back into the contest. A strong driving maul was finished by front-rower Gregor Hiddleston. Just before the half, Darge barged over, with Hastings' conversion making it a narrow game at the interval.

The Scottish club seized the advantage for the first occasion soon after the restart. A poor box-kick was gathered by No. 8 Dempsey, who fed skipper Steyn to burst through a challenge and sprint to the try-line.

Now in the driving seat, they clinched the fourth try when Stafford McDowall powered past a defender to score his 100th appearance for the team. That score capped a run of 26 unanswered points.

Sale found a lifeline when Marius Louw used neat skills to cross. The conversion made it a one-score game with minutes remaining.

A final opportunity arose for Sale from a line-out in the corner, but they lost the ball, sealing the Warriors' triumph.

What's Next?

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

Both sides are placed in a competitive Pool One that also includes the English side and South African team 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 (France).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France) and Julien Caulier (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (French).