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Glasgow Warriors began their Champions Cup journey in perfect fashion with a crucial four-try away victory against Sale Sharks.

Taking advantage of the elements at their backs, Sale began strongly and raced to a fourteen-point lead within 20 minutes. Tries from the Sale skipper and youngster Ollie Davies gave them early control.

But, the visitors fought back admirably with two tries before half-time. Hooker Hiddleston and back-rower Darge both went over to reduce the deficit.

Additional second-half tries from captain Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall extended Glasgow's lead to 26-14. Marius Louw's try for the hosts promised a tense finale, but the visitors stood strong to claim a major first-round win.

Glasgow Seize Initiative Following Interval

The match started with a bang as skipper Van Rhyn scored from close range after only two minutes. An early knock to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Davies into the action for his cup debut.

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

Against challenging weather, the Warriors used their set-piece to fight back into the game. A strong driving maul was finished by hooker Hiddleston. Just before the break, Darge forced his way over, with Hastings' conversion making it a two-point deficit at the interval.

Glasgow seized the advantage for the first occasion soon after the restart. A misjudged kick was collected by No. 8 Dempsey, who set up captain Steyn to break a tackle and sprint to the line.

With in the ascendancy, they secured the fourth try when Stafford McDowall powered past a defender to celebrate his 100th appearance for the team. This try capped a sequence of twenty-six unanswered points.

The hosts gave themselves a late hope when Louw showed good footwork to score. The conversion made it a one-score game with minutes remaining.

One last opportunity arose for Sale from a line-out in the 22, but they failed to secure the possession, confirming Glasgow's triumph.

What's Next?

Sale must regroup ahead of a trip to face Clermont Auvergne this weekend. In contrast, Glasgow Warriors will welcome six-time winners Toulouse to their home ground.

The two sides are drawn in a competitive 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.

Match Officials

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