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The Scottish side began their Champions Cup journey in perfect fashion with a crucial bonus-point away victory against Sale.

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

However, the visitors responded well with two tries before the interval. Hooker Gregor Hiddleston and back-rower Darge both went over to narrow the gap.

Further after the break scores from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall extended Glasgow's advantage to twelve points. Marius Louw's reply for the hosts set up a tense finish, but Glasgow stood strong to secure a major first-round victory.

Warriors Seize Initiative Following Interval

The match began with a bang as Sale captain Van Rhyn drove over from short distance after only two minutes. A first-half injury to centre Rekeiti Ma'asi-White introduced 19-year-old Ollie Davies into the action for his European debut.

The youngster made an immediate impact. Switching to fly-half, he took a smart angle to take an offload and score, extending Sale's advantage.

Facing difficult conditions, Glasgow used their set-piece to get back into the contest. A strong line-out drive was touched down by front-rower Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the half, Rory Darge forced his way over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a narrow deficit at the interval.

The Scottish club took the lead for the first time early in the second half. A poor kick was gathered by No. 8 Jack Dempsey, who fed captain Kyle Steyn to break a tackle and race away to the line.

With in the ascendancy, they secured the fourth try when Stafford McDowall ran through a tackle to celebrate his 100th appearance for the club. This try completed a sequence of 26 consecutive points.

The hosts gave themselves a lifeline when Louw showed good skills to cross. The conversion made it a one-score game with minutes left.

One last opportunity arose for them from a line-out in the corner, but they failed to secure the ball, confirming the Warriors' victory.

What's Next?

Sale Sharks must bounce back ahead of a journey to face Clermont Auvergne this weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors will welcome European giants Toulouse to their home ground.

The two sides are placed in a competitive Pool One 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.

Match Officials

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