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The Scottish side began their European campaign in perfect fashion with a valuable four-try win on the road against Sale.

With the elements at their backs, the hosts began the brighter and raced to a fourteen-point lead within 20 minutes. Tries from the Sale skipper and youngster Ollie Davies put them in command.

However, the visitors responded well with a pair of scores before half-time. Hooker Hiddleston and flanker Rory 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. A late reply for the hosts promised a tense finish, but the visitors held firm to claim a significant opening victory.

Warriors Take Control Following Half-Time

The match began with a bang as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn scored from short distance after just two minutes. An early injury to midfielder Ma'asi-White introduced 19-year-old Davies into the fray for his European debut.

Davies made an instant impact. Moving to fly-half, he ran a good support line to collect an offload and touch down, extending the home side's lead.

Against difficult conditions, the Warriors used their set-piece to get back into the contest. A strong driving maul was finished by front-rower Hiddleston. Just before the half, Rory Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' kick making it a two-point deficit at the interval.

The Scottish club seized the lead for the first time soon after the restart. A poor kick was collected by No. 8 Dempsey, who fed skipper Steyn to break a tackle and race away to the line.

Now in the driving seat, they secured the fourth try when McDowall powered past a tackle to score his 100th appearance for the club. This try capped a run of 26 unanswered points.

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

A final chance came for them from a throw in the 22, but they lost the ball, confirming Glasgow's triumph.

Looking Ahead

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

The two sides are placed in a competitive first pool that also features Saracens and South African team 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 (French).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France) and Julien Caulier (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).