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The Scottish side began their European campaign in perfect fashion with a valuable bonus-point win on the road against Sale.

With the elements at their backs, Sale started the brighter and raced to a 14-0 lead within the first quarter. Tries from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

But, the visitors responded admirably with two tries prior to the interval. Forward Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to reduce the gap.

Further after the break tries from Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' lead to 26-14. Marius Louw's reply for Sale promised a tense finale, but Glasgow held firm to claim a significant opening victory.

Warriors Seize Initiative After Interval

Play started with a bang as Sale captain Van Rhyn scored from close range after only two minutes. A first-half injury to midfielder Ma'asi-White introduced teenager Ollie Davies into the fray for his cup debut.

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

Facing challenging conditions, the Warriors turned to their set-piece to fight back into the contest. A strong line-out drive was finished by front-rower Gregor Hiddleston. Just before the break, Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' kick making it a two-point deficit at half-time.

Glasgow took the lead for the first occasion early in the second half. A misjudged box-kick was collected by No. 8 Jack Dempsey, who fed captain Kyle Steyn to burst through a tackle and race away to the try-line.

With in the ascendancy, they clinched the bonus point when Stafford McDowall powered past a tackle to score his 100th appearance for the club. That score completed a run of twenty-six unanswered points.

Sale gave themselves a late hope when Louw showed good footwork to score. The conversion made it a five-point game with time left.

A final opportunity arose for them from a line-out in the 22, but they lost the possession, sealing Glasgow's victory.

What's Next?

Sale must bounce back ahead of a journey to face Clermont Auvergne this weekend. In contrast, Glasgow Warriors will host six-time winners Toulouse to their home ground.

The two sides are drawn in a strong first pool that also features the English side and South African outfit the Hollywoodbets 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 (French).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).