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Glasgow Warriors kicked off their European campaign in perfect fashion with a valuable four-try away victory against Sale Sharks.

With the wind at their backs, Sale began the brighter and built a 14-0 lead within 20 minutes. Scores from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

However, the visitors fought back admirably with a pair of scores before the interval. Forward Gregor Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to reduce the gap.

Additional after the break scores from Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall pushed Glasgow's advantage to 26-14. Marius Louw's try for Sale set up a tense finish, but the visitors held firm to secure a major opening win.

Warriors Take Control Following Half-Time

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

The youngster made an immediate contribution. Switching to fly-half, he ran a good angle to take an pass and touch down, making the home side's lead.

Against challenging conditions, Glasgow turned to their set-piece to fight back into the game. A strong driving maul was touched down 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 early in the second half. A misjudged box-kick was collected by number eight Dempsey, who set up skipper Kyle Steyn to break a challenge and sprint to the try-line.

With in the driving seat, they secured the bonus point when McDowall ran through a tackle to score his century for the team. That score completed a sequence of twenty-six consecutive points.

Sale found a late hope when Marius Louw used good skills to cross. The kick made it a five-point game with minutes remaining.

A final chance arose for Sale from a throw in the corner, but they lost the ball, sealing the Warriors' victory.

Looking Ahead

Sale Sharks must regroup ahead of a trip to face Clermont this weekend. In contrast, Glasgow Warriors will host six-time winners Toulouse to their home ground.

The two sides are placed in a competitive Pool One that also includes 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 (French).
TMO: Tual Trainini (French).