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

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 teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

But, the visitors responded well with two tries prior to half-time. Forward Hiddleston and back-rower Darge both crossed to reduce the gap.

Additional second-half scores from captain Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall pushed the Warriors' advantage to twelve points. A late reply for Sale set up a tense finale, but Glasgow held firm to secure a major opening win.

Glasgow Seize Initiative After Half-Time

Play began with a bang as skipper Van Rhyn drove over from close range after only two minutes. A first-half injury to midfielder Ma'asi-White introduced teenager Davies into the fray for his cup debut.

Davies made an immediate contribution. Switching to fly-half, he took a smart support line to take an offload and score, extending the home side's lead.

Facing difficult conditions, Glasgow turned to their set-piece to get back into the game. A strong line-out drive was touched down by front-rower Gregor Hiddleston. Just before the half, Rory Darge forced his way over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a narrow game at half-time.

The Scottish club took the lead for the first time soon after the restart. A poor box-kick was gathered by number eight 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 McDowall ran through a tackle to score his 100th appearance for the team. This try capped a sequence of 26 unanswered points.

Sale found a lifeline when Marius Louw showed neat skills to cross. The conversion made it a one-score game with time left.

One last chance came for Sale from a throw in the 22, but they failed to secure the possession, confirming Glasgow's victory.

Looking Ahead

Sale must bounce back ahead of a journey to face Clermont Auvergne this weekend. In contrast, Glasgow Warriors will welcome six-time winners Toulouse to their home ground.

The two sides are drawn in a competitive first pool that also features Saracens 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 (French).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France) and Julien Caulier (French).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).