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

Taking advantage of the wind at their backs, Sale began strongly and built a 14-0 lead within 20 minutes. Tries from Ernst van Rhyn and teenage debutant Ollie Davies gave them early control.

But, Glasgow responded well with two tries prior to the interval. Hooker Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to narrow the gap.

Additional second-half scores from captain Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall pushed the Warriors' lead to 26-14. Marius Louw's try for the hosts promised a nervous finale, but Glasgow held firm to claim a major first-round win.

Warriors Take Control After Interval

The match began with a bang as skipper Ernst van Rhyn drove over from short distance after just two minutes. A first-half knock to midfielder Ma'asi-White introduced 19-year-old Davies into the fray for his cup debut.

The youngster made an immediate contribution. Moving to fly-half, he took a good support line to take an pass and touch down, extending the home side's lead.

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

The Scottish club seized the lead for the first occasion soon after the second half. A poor kick was gathered by number eight Dempsey, who set up captain Kyle Steyn to break a challenge and race away to the try-line.

Now in the ascendancy, Glasgow secured the fourth try when Stafford McDowall powered past a tackle to celebrate his century for the club. That score completed a sequence of 26 unanswered points.

Sale found a late hope when Marius Louw used neat footwork to score. The kick made it a five-point game with time remaining.

A final opportunity came for Sale from a throw in the 22, but they lost the ball, sealing the Warriors' victory.

What's Next?

Sale must regroup ahead of a trip to face Clermont Auvergne this weekend. In contrast, Glasgow Warriors will welcome European giants Toulouse to Scotstoun.

Both sides are drawn in a competitive Pool One that also features the English side 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.

Match Officials

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