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

With the wind at their backs, the hosts began the brighter and built a fourteen-point advantage within the first quarter. Scores from the Sale skipper and youngster Ollie Davies put them in command.

However, the visitors fought back well with two tries prior to half-time. Forward Gregor Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both crossed to narrow the gap.

Additional after the break scores from captain Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall pushed the Warriors' advantage to twelve points. Marius Louw's try for the hosts set up a nervous finale, but Glasgow stood strong to claim a significant opening victory.

Warriors Take Control After Interval

Play began with a bang as skipper Ernst van Rhyn scored from close range after only two minutes. A first-half injury to centre Ma'asi-White introduced teenager Ollie Davies into the action for his European debut.

Davies made an instant contribution. Moving to fly-half, he took a smart support line to take an offload and score, making Sale's lead.

Against challenging conditions, the Warriors turned to their forward power to get back into the game. A powerful driving maul was touched down by front-rower Gregor Hiddleston. Just before the break, Rory Darge forced his way over, with Hastings' conversion making it a narrow deficit at the interval.

The Scottish club seized the lead for the first occasion soon after the restart. A misjudged box-kick was gathered by number eight Jack Dempsey, who fed skipper Steyn to break a challenge and race away to the line.

Now in the ascendancy, they clinched the fourth try when McDowall powered past a defender to score his century for the club. That score capped a run of twenty-six unanswered points.

The hosts found a lifeline when Marius Louw showed neat skills to cross. The kick made it a one-score game with time remaining.

A final opportunity came for Sale from a line-out in the corner, but they lost the possession, sealing Glasgow's triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale Sharks must regroup ahead of a journey to face Clermont this weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow will host European giants Toulouse to their home ground.

Both sides are drawn in a competitive first pool that also features the English side and South African team 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 (France).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France) and Julien Caulier (French).
TMO: Tual Trainini (French).