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

With the wind at their backs, the hosts began strongly and raced to a fourteen-point lead within the first quarter. Tries from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

But, the visitors fought back well with two tries before the interval. Hooker Gregor Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to narrow the deficit.

Further after the break scores from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall pushed the Warriors' lead to twelve points. Marius Louw's try for Sale set up a tense finish, but Glasgow stood strong to secure a significant opening win.

Glasgow Seize Initiative Following Interval

Play began with a quick try as skipper Ernst van Rhyn drove over from close range after just two minutes. An early injury 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 angle to collect an offload and score, making the home side's advantage.

Against challenging conditions, Glasgow turned to their set-piece to get back into the contest. A strong driving maul was finished by front-rower Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the half, Rory Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a narrow game at half-time.

Glasgow seized the advantage for the first time early in the second half. A misjudged box-kick was collected by number eight Dempsey, who set up skipper Kyle Steyn to break a tackle and race away to the line.

Now in the ascendancy, Glasgow clinched the fourth try when McDowall ran through a defender to score his century for the club. This try capped a run of twenty-six unanswered points.

Sale found a lifeline when Louw used good footwork to score. The kick made it a one-score game with time remaining.

One last chance arose for them from a line-out in the corner, but they lost the ball, confirming the Warriors' triumph.

What's Next?

Sale Sharks must regroup ahead of a journey to face Clermont this weekend. In contrast, Glasgow Warriors will host six-time winners Toulouse to Scotstoun.

The two sides are drawn in a strong first pool that also features Saracens and South African outfit the 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.

Officials

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