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Glasgow Warriors kicked off their European campaign in ideal fashion with a valuable bonus-point win on the road against Sale Sharks.

With the elements at their backs, the hosts began the brighter and raced to a 14-0 advantage within 20 minutes. Tries from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

But, Glasgow fought back admirably with two tries prior to the interval. Forward Gregor Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both crossed to reduce the gap.

Additional second-half scores from captain Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall pushed Glasgow's advantage to twelve points. Marius Louw's reply for the hosts set up a tense finish, but the visitors held firm to secure a major opening win.

Warriors Take Control After Interval

Play started with a bang as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn scored from short distance after only two minutes. An early injury to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White brought teenager Ollie Davies into the fray for his cup debut.

Davies made an immediate impact. Switching to fly-half, he took a smart support line to collect an offload and touch down, extending Sale's lead.

Facing difficult conditions, Glasgow used their set-piece to get back into the game. A powerful line-out drive was finished by front-rower Hiddleston. Just before the break, Darge forced his way over, with Hastings' conversion making it a narrow deficit at half-time.

Glasgow seized the advantage for the first time soon after the restart. A misjudged box-kick was gathered by number eight Dempsey, who set up captain Steyn to burst through a tackle and race away to the line.

With in the driving seat, they secured the fourth try when Stafford McDowall ran through a tackle to celebrate his century for the team. That score capped a sequence of twenty-six consecutive points.

The hosts gave themselves a lifeline when Louw used neat skills to score. The kick made it a five-point game with minutes left.

A final chance came for them from a throw in the 22, but they failed to secure the possession, confirming the Warriors' victory.

What's Next?

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

Both sides are placed in a competitive Pool One that also features Saracens and Durban-based team 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.

Match Officials

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