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Glasgow Warriors kicked off their Champions Cup campaign in ideal fashion with a valuable four-try win on the road against Sale Sharks.

With the wind at their backs, the hosts started the brighter and built a 14-0 lead within 20 minutes. Tries from the Sale skipper and youngster Ollie Davies put them in command.

However, Glasgow fought back admirably with a pair of scores before half-time. Hooker Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to reduce the deficit.

Further second-half scores from captain Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' lead to 26-14. A late reply for the hosts promised a nervous finale, but the visitors held firm to claim a significant first-round victory.

Warriors Seize Initiative After Half-Time

Play began with a bang as skipper Ernst van Rhyn scored from short distance after just two minutes. An early injury to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White introduced teenager Ollie Davies into the fray for his cup debut.

The youngster made an instant contribution. Moving to fly-half, he took a smart support line to take an offload and score, extending Sale's lead.

Against challenging weather, Glasgow turned to their forward power to fight back into the contest. A powerful line-out drive was touched down by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the half, Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a two-point deficit at the interval.

Glasgow took the advantage for the first time soon after the second half. A misjudged kick was gathered by number eight Jack Dempsey, who fed captain Kyle Steyn to break a tackle and sprint to the line.

Now in the driving seat, they secured the fourth try when Stafford McDowall ran through a tackle to score his 100th appearance for the team. That score capped a sequence of twenty-six consecutive points.

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

One last opportunity came for them from a line-out in the corner, 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. Meanwhile, Glasgow will host European giants Toulouse to their home ground.

Both sides are placed in a strong Pool One that also features Saracens and South African outfit the Hollywoodbets 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 (French) and Julien Caulier (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (French).