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The Scottish side began their Champions Cup campaign in perfect fashion with a crucial four-try away victory against Sale.

Taking advantage of the elements at their backs, the hosts began the brighter and built a 14-0 lead within the first quarter. Tries from Ernst van Rhyn and youngster Ollie Davies gave them early control.

However, Glasgow responded well with two tries before the interval. Hooker Hiddleston and back-rower Darge both crossed to narrow the deficit.

Additional second-half tries from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall pushed the Warriors' lead to twelve points. Marius Louw's try for the hosts set up a tense finale, but the visitors held firm to secure a major opening win.

Warriors Seize Initiative Following Interval

The match started with a quick try as skipper Van Rhyn scored from close range after only two minutes. An early knock to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Ollie Davies into the fray for his cup debut.

The youngster made an instant impact. Switching to fly-half, he took a smart angle to collect an offload and score, extending the home side's advantage.

Against challenging conditions, the Warriors turned to their set-piece to fight back into the contest. A powerful line-out drive was touched down by hooker Hiddleston. Prior to the break, Darge barged over, with Hastings' kick making it a narrow game at half-time.

Glasgow seized the lead for the first time early in the second half. A poor kick was gathered by No. 8 Jack Dempsey, who fed skipper Steyn to break a tackle and race away to the line.

Now in the ascendancy, Glasgow secured the fourth try when McDowall ran through a defender to celebrate his century for the club. This try capped a sequence of 26 unanswered points.

The hosts found a lifeline when Marius Louw showed good skills to cross. The kick made it a five-point game with time left.

A final opportunity came for Sale from a line-out in the corner, but they failed to secure the ball, sealing the Warriors' triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale must bounce back ahead of a journey to face Clermont Auvergne next Saturday. In contrast, Glasgow will host six-time winners Toulouse to Scotstoun.

The two sides are drawn in a strong first pool that also includes the English side and Durban-based 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).