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

Taking advantage of the elements at their backs, the hosts started strongly and built a 14-0 advantage within 20 minutes. Tries from Ernst van Rhyn and youngster Ollie Davies gave them early control.

But, the visitors fought back admirably with two tries prior to the interval. Hooker Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both went over to narrow the deficit.

Additional second-half scores from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall pushed the Warriors' advantage to 26-14. Marius Louw's try for the hosts set up a tense finish, but Glasgow held firm to secure a major opening victory.

Warriors Take Control After Interval

The match started with a bang as skipper Van Rhyn scored from close range after just two minutes. An early injury to centre Ma'asi-White introduced 19-year-old Davies into the fray for his cup debut.

The youngster made an instant contribution. Moving to fly-half, he took a smart angle to take an pass and touch down, making Sale's lead.

Against difficult weather, Glasgow turned to their forward power to fight back into the contest. A powerful driving maul was touched down by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Just before the break, Rory Darge barged over, with Hastings' conversion making it a two-point game at half-time.

Glasgow seized the advantage for the first time early in the second half. A misjudged kick was gathered by number eight Jack Dempsey, who set up captain Kyle Steyn to burst through a challenge and race away to the try-line.

With in the ascendancy, Glasgow clinched the fourth try when McDowall ran through a tackle to score his 100th appearance for the club. That score capped a sequence of 26 unanswered points.

The hosts gave themselves a lifeline when Marius Louw showed good footwork to cross. The conversion made it a five-point game with time left.

One last opportunity came for them from a line-out in the 22, but they failed to secure the ball, confirming the Warriors' victory.

What's Next?

Sale must regroup ahead of a journey to face Clermont Auvergne this weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors will host European giants Toulouse to Scotstoun.

Both sides are placed in a strong Pool One that also includes the English side and Durban-based team 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 (French).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France) and Julien Caulier (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (French).