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The Scottish side kicked off their European campaign in ideal fashion with a valuable bonus-point away victory against Sale Sharks.

Taking advantage of the elements at their backs, Sale began the brighter and built a fourteen-point advantage within 20 minutes. Scores from the Sale skipper and youngster Ollie Davies put them in command.

But, Glasgow fought back well with two tries before the interval. Forward Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both went over to narrow the gap.

Additional second-half scores from Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' lead to 26-14. Marius Louw's reply for the hosts set up a tense finale, but the visitors held firm to claim a major first-round victory.

Glasgow Seize Initiative Following Interval

Play began with a quick try as skipper Van Rhyn drove over from short distance after only two minutes. A first-half knock to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White brought teenager Davies into the action for his cup debut.

Davies made an instant impact. Switching to fly-half, he took a good angle to take an offload and touch down, making the home side's lead.

Against challenging conditions, the Warriors turned to their set-piece to get back into the game. A strong driving maul was touched down by hooker Hiddleston. Prior to the half, Darge forced his way over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a two-point deficit at half-time.

Glasgow seized the advantage for the first time early in the second half. A misjudged kick was collected by No. 8 Jack Dempsey, who set up skipper Kyle Steyn to burst through a challenge and sprint to the try-line.

Now in the ascendancy, Glasgow clinched the fourth try when Stafford McDowall powered past a defender to score his 100th appearance for the club. That score completed a sequence of twenty-six consecutive points.

The hosts found a late hope when Louw used good skills to cross. The kick made it a one-score game with time left.

A final opportunity arose for Sale from a line-out in the 22, but they lost the possession, sealing the Warriors' triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale Sharks must regroup ahead of a trip to face Clermont next Saturday. In contrast, Glasgow will welcome European giants Toulouse to Scotstoun.

Both sides are placed in a competitive Pool One that also features the English side and South African outfit 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 (France).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (French) and Julien Caulier (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (French).