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

Taking advantage of the elements at their backs, Sale started the brighter and built a fourteen-point advantage within the first quarter. Scores from Ernst van Rhyn and youngster Ollie Davies put them in command.

However, Glasgow fought back well with a pair of scores prior to half-time. Hooker Gregor Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both crossed to reduce the gap.

Additional second-half scores from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall extended Glasgow's advantage to twelve points. A late try for the hosts promised a tense finale, but Glasgow stood strong to secure a significant first-round victory.

Warriors Take Control After Half-Time

Play began with a bang as skipper Ernst van Rhyn scored from short distance after only two minutes. An early knock to centre Rekeiti Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Davies into the fray for his cup debut.

The youngster made an immediate impact. Switching to fly-half, he took a good angle to collect an offload and score, making the home side's lead.

Against challenging conditions, Glasgow turned to their set-piece to fight back into the game. A powerful driving maul was finished by front-rower Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the break, Darge barged over, with Hastings' conversion making it a narrow deficit at the interval.

The Scottish club took the lead for the first occasion early in the second half. A misjudged kick was collected by number eight Dempsey, who fed skipper Steyn to break a challenge and sprint to the line.

With in the ascendancy, Glasgow secured the fourth try when McDowall ran through a defender to score his century for the club. This try capped a sequence of 26 unanswered points.

Sale gave themselves a lifeline when Louw showed neat skills to cross. The conversion made it a five-point game with time left.

A final opportunity came for Sale from a throw in the corner, but they failed to secure the ball, confirming the Warriors' triumph.

What's Next?

Sale must regroup ahead of a journey to face Clermont this weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors will host six-time winners Toulouse to Scotstoun.

The two sides are placed in a strong Pool One that also features the English side and South African outfit the Sharks.

Teams

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 (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).