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The Scottish side kicked off their European journey in ideal fashion with a valuable bonus-point win on the road against Sale.

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

But, the visitors fought back well with two tries prior to half-time. Forward Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to narrow the gap.

Further after the break tries from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' lead to 26-14. A late reply for the hosts set up a tense finish, but Glasgow stood strong to secure a significant opening victory.

Glasgow Seize Initiative After Interval

Play started with a bang as skipper Van Rhyn drove over from close range after just two minutes. A first-half injury to centre Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Ollie Davies into the action for his cup debut.

The youngster made an immediate impact. Moving to fly-half, he took a good angle to collect an offload and touch down, making the home side's advantage.

Facing difficult conditions, the Warriors turned to their forward power to fight back into the game. A strong driving maul was touched down by hooker Hiddleston. Just before the break, Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' kick making it a narrow deficit at the interval.

Glasgow seized the advantage for the first occasion soon after the second half. A poor box-kick was gathered by No. 8 Jack Dempsey, who fed captain Steyn to break a tackle and sprint to the line.

Now in the ascendancy, Glasgow secured the bonus point when Stafford McDowall ran through a defender to celebrate his century for the club. This try completed a sequence of 26 consecutive points.

The hosts found a lifeline when Louw used neat skills to score. The conversion made it a one-score game with minutes left.

One last chance arose for them from a throw in the corner, but they lost the ball, sealing Glasgow's triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale must bounce back ahead of a trip to face Clermont next Saturday. Meanwhile, Glasgow will welcome six-time winners Toulouse to Scotstoun.

The two sides are placed in a competitive first pool that also includes Saracens and South African outfit 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 (French) and Julien Caulier (French).
TMO: Tual Trainini (French).