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

Taking advantage of the wind at their backs, Sale began the brighter and built a 14-0 advantage within 20 minutes. Tries from the Sale skipper and youngster Ollie Davies put them in command.

However, the visitors responded admirably with a pair of scores prior to the interval. Hooker Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both crossed to narrow the gap.

Additional second-half tries from Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' lead to 26-14. Marius Louw's reply for the hosts promised a tense finish, but the visitors held firm to claim a major opening victory.

Glasgow Seize Initiative Following Half-Time

Play began with a quick try as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn drove over from close range after just two minutes. A first-half knock to centre Rekeiti Ma'asi-White brought teenager Davies into the action for his European debut.

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

Against challenging conditions, Glasgow turned to their forward power to get back into the game. A strong line-out drive was finished by front-rower Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the break, Rory Darge forced his way over, with Hastings' kick making it a narrow deficit at half-time.

The Scottish club seized the lead for the first time early in the second half. A misjudged kick was collected by No. 8 Dempsey, who set up skipper Kyle Steyn to break a tackle and race away to the line.

Now in the driving seat, they clinched the bonus point when Stafford McDowall powered past a tackle to score his century for the team. This try capped a run of 26 consecutive points.

Sale found a late hope when Louw used neat footwork to score. The conversion made it a one-score game with time remaining.

One last chance came for them from a throw in the corner, but they lost the ball, confirming Glasgow's victory.

Looking Ahead

Sale must regroup ahead of a trip to face Clermont next Saturday. Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors will host six-time winners Toulouse to their home ground.

The two sides are drawn in a competitive first pool that also features the English side and Durban-based team 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 (French).