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Glasgow Warriors began their European campaign in ideal fashion with a crucial four-try win on the road against Sale.

With the wind at their backs, Sale began the brighter and raced to a 14-0 advantage within the first quarter. Tries from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies gave them early control.

But, Glasgow responded well with a pair of scores before the interval. Forward Gregor Hiddleston and flanker Darge both crossed to reduce the gap.

Additional after the break tries from captain Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall pushed the Warriors' advantage to 26-14. Marius Louw's reply for Sale promised a nervous finish, but the visitors held firm to secure a significant first-round victory.

Glasgow Seize Initiative After Half-Time

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

Davies made an immediate contribution. Switching to fly-half, he took a smart support line to take an offload and score, making the home side's lead.

Against challenging conditions, Glasgow turned to their set-piece to fight back into the contest. A powerful line-out drive was touched down by hooker Hiddleston. Just before the half, Darge forced his way over, with Hastings' conversion making it a two-point game at the interval.

The Scottish club took the lead for the first occasion early in the restart. A poor kick was collected by No. 8 Jack Dempsey, who fed skipper Kyle Steyn to burst through a challenge and race away to the try-line.

Now in the driving seat, they secured the bonus point when Stafford McDowall powered past a defender to score his 100th appearance for the club. That score completed a sequence of 26 consecutive points.

Sale found a late hope when Louw used good footwork to score. The conversion made it a five-point game with minutes left.

One last chance arose for them from a throw in the 22, but they lost the possession, sealing Glasgow's victory.

What's Next?

Sale must regroup ahead of a journey to face Clermont next Saturday. Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors will host European giants Toulouse to their home ground.

The two sides are drawn in a competitive first pool that also features the English side and South African outfit the Sharks.

Teams

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 (French).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).