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The Scottish side began their European journey in perfect fashion with a valuable bonus-point away victory against Sale.

With the elements at their backs, Sale started the brighter and raced to a 14-0 advantage within 20 minutes. Tries from Ernst van Rhyn and youngster Ollie Davies put them in command.

However, Glasgow fought back admirably with two tries before the interval. Hooker Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both crossed to reduce the deficit.

Further after the break tries from captain Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' lead to 26-14. Marius Louw's reply for the hosts promised a tense finale, but the visitors held firm to secure a significant opening victory.

Glasgow Seize Initiative After Interval

Play began with a quick try as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn drove over from close range after just two minutes. An early injury to centre Rekeiti Ma'asi-White introduced teenager Ollie Davies into the fray for his European debut.

Davies made an instant contribution. Switching to fly-half, he took a good angle to take an pass and score, making the home side's advantage.

Facing challenging weather, the Warriors turned to their forward power to get back into the game. A strong driving maul was finished by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the break, Darge forced his way over, with Hastings' conversion making it a two-point game at the interval.

Glasgow seized the lead for the first time soon after the second half. A misjudged box-kick was gathered by No. 8 Dempsey, who set up skipper Kyle Steyn to break a tackle and race away to the try-line.

With in the driving seat, they secured the bonus point when Stafford McDowall ran through a tackle to celebrate his century for the club. That score capped a sequence of twenty-six unanswered points.

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

One last chance came for Sale from a line-out in the corner, but they failed to secure the ball, confirming Glasgow's triumph.

Looking Ahead

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

The two sides are drawn in a strong Pool One that also features the English side 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.

Officials

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