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Glasgow Warriors kicked off their Champions Cup journey in ideal fashion with a crucial bonus-point win on the road against Sale.

With the elements at their backs, the hosts began the brighter and raced to a fourteen-point lead within the first quarter. Scores from Ernst van Rhyn and youngster Ollie Davies gave them early control.

However, Glasgow responded well with a pair of scores prior to the interval. Forward Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both crossed to narrow the gap.

Additional after the break scores from Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' advantage to twelve points. Marius Louw's reply for Sale set up a nervous finale, but Glasgow stood strong to claim a significant first-round win.

Warriors Take Control Following Interval

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

The youngster made an instant impact. Switching to fly-half, he took a good support line to collect an offload and touch down, extending the home side's lead.

Facing difficult weather, the Warriors turned to their set-piece to get back into the contest. A powerful line-out drive was finished by front-rower Hiddleston. Just before the break, Rory Darge barged over, with Hastings' conversion making it a two-point deficit at half-time.

Glasgow seized the advantage for the first time early in the restart. A poor box-kick was gathered by No. 8 Jack Dempsey, who fed captain Steyn to burst through a tackle and sprint to the try-line.

Now in the ascendancy, they clinched the bonus point when Stafford McDowall ran through a tackle to score his 100th appearance for the team. That score capped a sequence of 26 unanswered points.

Sale found a late hope when Marius Louw showed neat footwork to score. The conversion made it a one-score game with minutes left.

A final opportunity arose for them from a throw in the 22, but they lost the possession, sealing Glasgow's victory.

Looking Ahead

Sale Sharks must bounce back ahead of a journey to face Clermont Auvergne next Saturday. Meanwhile, Glasgow will welcome European giants Toulouse to Scotstoun.

The two sides are placed in a competitive Pool One that also features Saracens and Durban-based 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.

Match Officials

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