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Glasgow Warriors kicked off their Champions Cup journey in ideal fashion with a valuable four-try away victory against Sale Sharks.

With the wind at their backs, Sale began the brighter and raced to a fourteen-point advantage within 20 minutes. Tries from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies gave them early control.

However, the visitors fought back admirably with a pair of scores prior to the interval. Forward Hiddleston and flanker Darge both went over to reduce the gap.

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

Glasgow Take Control Following Interval

The match began with a bang as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn drove over from short distance after only two minutes. A first-half injury to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White introduced teenager Ollie Davies into the fray for his cup debut.

Davies made an immediate contribution. Switching to fly-half, he ran a smart angle to collect an pass and touch down, extending Sale's advantage.

Against difficult weather, the Warriors turned to their set-piece to fight back into the game. A strong driving maul was touched down by front-rower Hiddleston. Prior to the half, Darge barged over, with Hastings' conversion making it a two-point deficit at the interval.

The Scottish club took the advantage for the first occasion soon after the restart. A poor kick was gathered by No. 8 Dempsey, who fed skipper Kyle Steyn to break a tackle and race away to the try-line.

Now in the ascendancy, Glasgow clinched the bonus point when McDowall ran through a defender to celebrate his 100th appearance for the team. That score completed a sequence of 26 consecutive points.

The hosts found a late hope when Marius Louw used good skills to score. The conversion made it a one-score game with minutes left.

One last chance arose for them from a line-out in the corner, but they lost the ball, confirming Glasgow's victory.

Looking Ahead

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

The two sides are placed in a strong Pool One that also features 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.

Match Officials

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