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The Scottish side kicked off their Champions Cup journey in ideal fashion with a crucial bonus-point away victory against Sale Sharks.

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

However, Glasgow fought back admirably with two tries prior to half-time. Forward Gregor Hiddleston and flanker Darge both went over to narrow the deficit.

Additional second-half scores from captain Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall pushed Glasgow's lead to 26-14. Marius Louw's reply for the hosts set up a tense finish, but Glasgow stood strong to claim a significant opening victory.

Warriors Seize Initiative Following Interval

Play started with a bang as skipper Ernst van Rhyn scored from short distance after just two minutes. A first-half injury to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Ollie Davies into the fray for his European debut.

The youngster made an instant contribution. Moving to fly-half, he took a good angle to collect an offload and score, making Sale's lead.

Against challenging conditions, the Warriors used their set-piece to fight back into the game. A powerful line-out drive was finished by front-rower Gregor Hiddleston. Just before the break, Rory Darge forced his way over, with Hastings' conversion making it a narrow game at the interval.

Glasgow took the advantage for the first time early in the second half. A misjudged box-kick was collected by No. 8 Dempsey, who fed skipper Steyn to burst through a challenge and race away to the try-line.

With in the ascendancy, they clinched the bonus point when Stafford McDowall powered past a tackle to celebrate his century for the club. This try capped a run of twenty-six unanswered points.

The hosts found a lifeline when Louw showed neat skills to score. The kick made it a five-point game with minutes left.

A final chance arose for Sale from a line-out in the 22, but they failed to secure the ball, sealing the Warriors' victory.

Looking Ahead

Sale Sharks must regroup ahead of a journey to face Clermont next Saturday. In contrast, Glasgow will host six-time winners Toulouse to Scotstoun.

The two sides are placed in a competitive Pool One that also features the English side and Durban-based team 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.

Match Officials

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