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The Scottish side kicked off their Champions Cup campaign in perfect fashion with a crucial bonus-point away victory against Sale Sharks.

Taking advantage of the elements at their backs, the hosts began strongly and built a fourteen-point lead within 20 minutes. Tries from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

But, Glasgow fought back well with two tries prior to half-time. Hooker Gregor Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to narrow the deficit.

Further after the break scores from captain Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' lead to twelve points. Marius Louw's reply for Sale set up a nervous finish, but Glasgow held firm to claim a major first-round win.

Glasgow Take Control Following Interval

Play began with a quick try as skipper Ernst van Rhyn scored from close range after only two minutes. An early injury to centre Ma'asi-White introduced teenager Davies into the fray for his European debut.

Davies made an immediate contribution. Switching to fly-half, he ran a smart support line to take an pass and touch down, extending Sale's lead.

Facing difficult weather, the Warriors turned to their set-piece to fight back into the contest. A strong driving maul was finished by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the half, Rory Darge barged over, with Hastings' conversion making it a two-point deficit at half-time.

The Scottish club seized the advantage for the first occasion early in the second half. A misjudged box-kick was gathered by number eight Dempsey, who fed captain Kyle Steyn to burst through a tackle and race away to the try-line.

With in the driving seat, they secured the bonus point when Stafford McDowall ran through a tackle to celebrate his century for the club. That score completed a sequence of 26 unanswered points.

Sale found a lifeline when Marius Louw showed neat footwork to cross. The conversion made it a five-point game with time left.

One last opportunity arose for Sale from a line-out in the 22, but they lost the possession, confirming Glasgow's triumph.

What's Next?

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

Both sides are drawn in a strong Pool One 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 (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (French).