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The Scottish side kicked off their European campaign in perfect fashion with a crucial four-try away victory against Sale Sharks.

Taking advantage of the elements at their backs, the hosts started the brighter and raced to a fourteen-point lead within 20 minutes. Scores from the Sale skipper and youngster Ollie Davies gave them early control.

But, Glasgow fought back admirably with a pair of scores prior to the interval. Forward Gregor Hiddleston and flanker Darge both crossed to narrow the deficit.

Additional second-half scores from captain Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall extended Glasgow's advantage to 26-14. Marius Louw's try for the hosts set up a nervous finish, but Glasgow held firm to claim a significant first-round win.

Warriors Seize Initiative After Interval

The match started with a bang as Sale captain Van Rhyn drove over from short distance after only two minutes. An early knock to centre Rekeiti Ma'asi-White introduced teenager Ollie Davies into the fray for his cup debut.

Davies made an immediate impact. Moving to fly-half, he took a good support line to take an offload and touch down, making the home side's advantage.

Against difficult conditions, the Warriors used their set-piece to fight back into the game. A powerful driving maul was finished by hooker Hiddleston. Prior to the break, Rory Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a narrow deficit at the interval.

Glasgow seized the lead for the first time soon after the second half. A misjudged box-kick was collected by No. 8 Dempsey, who fed skipper Kyle Steyn to burst through a challenge and race away to the try-line.

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

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

One last chance came for them from a throw in the corner, but they lost the possession, sealing the Warriors' victory.

What's Next?

Sale must regroup ahead of a journey to face Clermont Auvergne this weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow will welcome six-time winners Toulouse to Scotstoun.

The two sides are placed in a competitive Pool One that also features the English side and Durban-based 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 (French).
TMO: Tual Trainini (French).