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The Scottish side began their European journey in ideal fashion with a crucial four-try away victory against Sale.

Taking advantage of the elements at their backs, the hosts began the brighter and built a fourteen-point advantage within 20 minutes. Tries from Ernst van Rhyn and youngster Ollie Davies gave them early control.

But, the visitors responded admirably with two tries before the interval. Hooker Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both went over to narrow the gap.

Further after the break scores from Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall extended Glasgow's advantage to 26-14. Marius Louw's reply for Sale promised a nervous finish, but the visitors held firm to secure a major first-round win.

Warriors Seize Initiative After Half-Time

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 introduced 19-year-old Ollie Davies into the fray for his cup debut.

Davies made an immediate contribution. Moving to fly-half, he took a smart angle to collect an offload and score, extending Sale's lead.

Facing difficult conditions, Glasgow turned to their forward power to fight back into the game. A strong line-out drive was finished by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the break, Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a two-point game at half-time.

The Scottish club seized the lead for the first time early in the restart. A poor box-kick was collected by number eight Jack Dempsey, who set up captain Kyle Steyn to break a challenge and sprint to the try-line.

Now in the driving seat, they clinched the bonus point when Stafford McDowall ran through a defender to score his century for the club. That score completed a sequence of 26 consecutive points.

The hosts gave themselves a lifeline when Marius Louw used neat footwork to cross. The conversion made it a one-score game with time remaining.

A final chance came for them from a line-out in the 22, but they lost the possession, confirming Glasgow's victory.

Looking Ahead

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

The two sides are placed in a strong first pool that also includes 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.

Match Officials

Referee: Pierre Brousset (France).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (French) and Julien Caulier (France).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).