🔗 Share this article

Glasgow Warriors began their Champions Cup journey in perfect fashion with a valuable four-try win on the road against Sale Sharks.

With the elements at their backs, Sale began the brighter and built a 14-0 advantage within the first quarter. Tries from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

But, Glasgow fought back well with two tries before half-time. Hooker Gregor Hiddleston and flanker Darge both crossed to narrow the gap.

Further second-half scores from captain Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall pushed Glasgow's advantage to 26-14. A late try for the hosts set up a nervous finish, but the visitors held firm to claim a major first-round victory.

Glasgow Take Control After Interval

The match started with a bang as Sale captain Van Rhyn scored from short distance after only two minutes. An early knock to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White introduced 19-year-old Ollie Davies into the action for his European debut.

Davies made an instant impact. Moving to fly-half, he ran a smart angle to take an pass and score, extending the home side's lead.

Facing challenging conditions, the Warriors used their forward power to get back into the game. A strong line-out drive was finished by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the break, Rory Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a narrow game at half-time.

Glasgow took the advantage for the first time soon after the second half. A misjudged kick was collected by number eight Dempsey, who set up skipper Steyn to burst through a tackle and sprint to the line.

Now in the ascendancy, Glasgow secured the fourth try when McDowall powered past a tackle to celebrate his century for the club. That score completed a sequence of 26 unanswered points.

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

A final opportunity arose for Sale from a throw in the 22, but they failed to secure the ball, sealing the Warriors' victory.

What's Next?

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

Both sides are placed in a strong first pool that also includes Saracens and South African 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.

Officials

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