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Glasgow Warriors kicked off their European journey in ideal fashion with a valuable bonus-point away victory against Sale.

Taking advantage of the wind at their backs, the hosts began strongly and built a 14-0 lead within 20 minutes. Tries from the Sale skipper and youngster Ollie Davies put them in command.

However, the visitors fought back admirably with a pair of scores prior to the interval. Forward Gregor Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both crossed to narrow the deficit.

Additional second-half tries from Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' lead to 26-14. A late reply for the hosts promised a nervous finish, but the visitors held firm to claim a significant first-round victory.

Glasgow Take Control Following Half-Time

The match began with a bang as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn scored from short distance after only two minutes. A first-half knock to midfielder Ma'asi-White brought teenager Ollie Davies into the fray for his European debut.

The youngster made an immediate contribution. Switching to fly-half, he took a good support line to take an offload and touch down, extending Sale's lead.

Against challenging conditions, Glasgow used their set-piece to fight back into the contest. A powerful driving maul was touched down by front-rower Hiddleston. Just before the break, Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a two-point game at the interval.

Glasgow took the lead for the first occasion soon after the restart. A misjudged kick was gathered by number eight Jack Dempsey, who set up captain Steyn to burst through a tackle and race away to the line.

Now in the ascendancy, Glasgow secured the bonus point when Stafford McDowall ran through a tackle to score his century for the club. That score completed a run of twenty-six consecutive points.

Sale gave themselves a late hope when Marius Louw used good footwork to cross. The kick made it a five-point game with minutes left.

One last opportunity arose for Sale from a line-out in the corner, but they lost the ball, sealing the Warriors' victory.

What's Next?

Sale must bounce back ahead of a journey to face Clermont this weekend. In contrast, Glasgow Warriors will welcome six-time winners Toulouse to their home ground.

Both sides are placed in a strong Pool One that also features Saracens and Durban-based outfit the Hollywoodbets 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.

Officials

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