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Glasgow Warriors began their Champions Cup journey in ideal fashion with a valuable four-try win on the road against Sale.

With the wind at their backs, the hosts began strongly and raced to a fourteen-point advantage within the first quarter. Scores from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies gave them early control.

But, Glasgow fought back well with a pair of scores prior to half-time. Forward Gregor Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both crossed to narrow the gap.

Further after the break tries from captain Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall pushed Glasgow's advantage to 26-14. Marius Louw's try for Sale promised a tense finale, but Glasgow held firm to secure a significant first-round victory.

Glasgow Take Control After Half-Time

The match started with a bang as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn scored from close range after just two minutes. A first-half knock to midfielder Ma'asi-White brought teenager Ollie Davies into the action for his cup debut.

The youngster made an instant contribution. Switching to fly-half, he ran a good angle to take an offload and touch down, making Sale's lead.

Against difficult conditions, the Warriors turned to their set-piece to get back into the contest. A powerful driving maul was finished by hooker Hiddleston. Prior to the break, Darge forced his way over, with Hastings' conversion making it a two-point deficit at half-time.

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

Now in the ascendancy, Glasgow secured the fourth try when McDowall powered past a defender to score his century for the club. This try capped a sequence of twenty-six unanswered points.

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

One last opportunity came for Sale from a line-out in the 22, but they failed to secure the ball, sealing Glasgow's victory.

What's Next?

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

Both sides are placed in a strong Pool One that also features the English side and South African outfit 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 (France).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France) and Julien Caulier (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (French).