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Glasgow Warriors began their European campaign in perfect fashion with a valuable bonus-point win on the road against Sale.

Taking advantage of the wind at their backs, the hosts started strongly and built a fourteen-point lead within the first quarter. Tries from Ernst van Rhyn and youngster Ollie Davies gave them early control.

However, Glasgow responded admirably with a pair of scores prior to the interval. Hooker Gregor Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both crossed to narrow the deficit.

Further second-half scores from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall pushed Glasgow's advantage to 26-14. A late reply for Sale set up a nervous finish, but Glasgow stood strong to claim a major first-round win.

Glasgow Seize Initiative After Half-Time

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

The youngster made an immediate impact. Moving to fly-half, he ran a good angle to take an pass and score, extending the home side's lead.

Against challenging weather, Glasgow turned to their forward power to fight back into the game. A strong driving maul was finished by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Just before the half, Darge barged over, with Hastings' conversion making it a two-point deficit at half-time.

Glasgow seized the advantage for the first occasion early in the second half. A poor box-kick was collected by No. 8 Jack Dempsey, who set up captain Kyle Steyn to break a tackle and race away to the line.

With in the ascendancy, Glasgow clinched the bonus point when McDowall powered past a defender to celebrate his century for the team. This try capped a sequence of twenty-six consecutive points.

Sale gave themselves a late hope when Marius Louw used good footwork to score. The kick made it a one-score game with minutes left.

One last opportunity arose for them from a throw in the corner, but they failed to secure the ball, sealing Glasgow's victory.

What's Next?

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

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