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The Scottish side kicked off their Champions Cup campaign in perfect fashion with a crucial bonus-point away victory against Sale Sharks.

With the wind at their backs, the hosts started strongly and raced to a 14-0 lead within the first quarter. Tries from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

But, Glasgow responded admirably with a pair of scores prior to half-time. Forward Gregor Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to narrow the deficit.

Additional second-half scores from captain Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall pushed Glasgow's advantage to twelve points. A late reply for Sale set up a tense finale, but the visitors held firm to secure a significant opening win.

Warriors Take Control Following Interval

Play started with a bang as Sale captain Van Rhyn drove over from close range after only two minutes. A first-half injury to midfielder Ma'asi-White introduced teenager Ollie Davies into the fray for his European debut.

Davies made an immediate contribution. Switching to fly-half, he took a good angle to collect an offload and touch down, extending Sale's advantage.

Facing difficult conditions, Glasgow used their forward power to fight back into the game. A strong line-out drive was touched down by hooker Hiddleston. Just before the half, Rory Darge forced his way over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a two-point game at half-time.

The Scottish club took the advantage for the first time early in the second half. A poor box-kick was collected by No. 8 Dempsey, who fed captain Kyle Steyn to burst through a tackle and race away to the try-line.

With in the driving seat, Glasgow secured the fourth try when Stafford McDowall ran through a defender to celebrate his century for the club. That score completed a run of 26 unanswered points.

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

One last opportunity came for Sale from a line-out in the 22, but they lost the ball, sealing the Warriors' victory.

What's Next?

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

The two sides are drawn in a competitive Pool One that also features the English side and Durban-based team the 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 (French) and Julien Caulier (French).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).