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

Taking advantage of the elements 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 gave them early control.

However, Glasgow fought back well with a pair of scores prior to the interval. Forward Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to reduce the deficit.

Further second-half tries from captain Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' lead to twelve points. A late reply for Sale promised a tense finale, but Glasgow held firm to claim a major opening win.

Glasgow Seize Initiative Following Half-Time

Play started with a quick try as skipper Ernst van Rhyn drove over from close range after only two minutes. A first-half knock to midfielder Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Ollie Davies into the fray for his European debut.

Davies made an instant impact. Switching to fly-half, he took a good angle to take an offload and score, making the home side's advantage.

Against difficult conditions, the Warriors turned to their forward power to get back into the contest. A strong line-out drive was finished by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the half, Darge forced his way over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a narrow deficit at half-time.

The Scottish club took the advantage for the first time soon after the second half. A poor kick was gathered by No. 8 Dempsey, who set up captain Kyle Steyn to burst through a tackle and race away to the line.

Now in the driving seat, they clinched the fourth try when Stafford McDowall ran through a tackle to celebrate his century for the club. This try completed a sequence of 26 unanswered points.

The hosts gave themselves a late hope when Marius Louw showed good skills to score. The conversion made it a five-point game with minutes remaining.

One last chance arose for them from a throw in the 22, but they lost the possession, confirming Glasgow's triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale Sharks must regroup ahead of a journey to face Clermont Auvergne next Saturday. In contrast, Glasgow Warriors will welcome European giants Toulouse to their home ground.

The two sides are placed in a strong first pool that also includes Saracens 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.

Officials

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