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

Taking advantage of the wind at their backs, the hosts started strongly and raced to a fourteen-point advantage within the first quarter. Tries from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies gave them early control.

But, Glasgow fought back well with a pair of scores before half-time. Hooker Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to reduce the deficit.

Further second-half tries from Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall extended Glasgow's advantage to 26-14. A late try for Sale set up a nervous finale, but the visitors held firm to claim a major first-round win.

Warriors Seize Initiative After Half-Time

The match began with a quick try as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn scored from close range after just two minutes. A first-half injury to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White introduced 19-year-old Davies into the action for his cup debut.

The youngster made an immediate impact. Moving to fly-half, he ran a good support line to collect an offload and score, extending Sale's lead.

Against difficult weather, Glasgow used their forward power to fight back into the game. A powerful driving maul was touched down by front-rower Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the break, Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' kick making it a two-point deficit at the interval.

Glasgow seized the advantage for the first occasion soon after the second half. A misjudged box-kick was gathered by number eight Jack Dempsey, who set up captain Kyle Steyn to burst through a challenge and sprint to the try-line.

With in the driving seat, they clinched the fourth try when McDowall ran through a tackle to celebrate his century for the team. This try completed a sequence of twenty-six unanswered points.

The hosts gave themselves a late hope when Marius Louw showed good footwork to cross. The kick made it a one-score game with time remaining.

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

Looking Ahead

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

Both sides are placed in a competitive first pool that also features the English side and South African outfit 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 (French).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (French) and Julien Caulier (French).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).