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

Taking advantage of the elements at their backs, Sale started strongly and raced to a fourteen-point lead within the first quarter. Tries from Ernst van Rhyn and youngster Ollie Davies gave them early control.

But, the visitors responded well with two tries prior to the interval. Hooker Gregor Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both crossed to narrow the gap.

Additional second-half tries from Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' advantage to 26-14. Marius Louw's try for Sale promised a nervous finish, but the visitors stood strong to claim a significant first-round win.

Warriors Take Control Following Half-Time

Play began with a bang as skipper Van Rhyn scored from close range after only two minutes. An early knock to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White brought teenager Davies into the action for his European debut.

The youngster made an immediate contribution. Moving to fly-half, he ran a smart angle to collect an offload and score, making the home side's lead.

Against difficult conditions, the Warriors used their set-piece to fight back into the game. A powerful line-out drive was finished by front-rower Gregor Hiddleston. Just before the break, Rory Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a narrow game at the interval.

The Scottish club took the lead for the first occasion early in the restart. A poor box-kick was gathered by number eight Dempsey, who set up captain Steyn to burst through a challenge and sprint to the line.

Now in the driving seat, Glasgow clinched the fourth try when McDowall ran through a defender to score his 100th appearance for the team. That score capped a run of 26 consecutive points.

Sale gave themselves a late hope when Marius Louw showed neat footwork to cross. The conversion made it a five-point game with time remaining.

A final opportunity arose for Sale from a line-out in the 22, but they failed to secure the ball, confirming the Warriors' triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale must bounce back ahead of a trip to face Clermont next Saturday. Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors will welcome six-time winners Toulouse to Scotstoun.

Both sides are drawn in a competitive Pool One that also includes the English side and South African team 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 (France).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (French) and Julien Caulier (French).
TMO: Tual Trainini (French).