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Glasgow Warriors kicked off their Champions Cup journey in perfect fashion with a valuable bonus-point win on the road against Sale Sharks.

With the wind at their backs, the hosts began strongly and raced to a 14-0 lead within 20 minutes. Tries from Ernst van Rhyn and teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

However, Glasgow fought back well with a pair of scores before half-time. Forward Gregor Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to narrow the gap.

Additional after the break scores from captain Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' lead to 26-14. Marius Louw's reply for Sale set up a nervous finish, but the visitors held firm to claim a major first-round win.

Warriors Seize Initiative Following Interval

The match began with a bang as skipper Ernst van Rhyn scored from close range after only two minutes. A first-half injury to midfielder Ma'asi-White introduced 19-year-old Davies into the fray for his European debut.

Davies made an instant impact. Switching to fly-half, he ran a good support line to take an offload and score, extending Sale's lead.

Against difficult weather, Glasgow turned to their forward power to fight back into the contest. A strong driving maul was finished by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Just before the break, Rory Darge barged over, with Hastings' conversion making it a two-point game at half-time.

Glasgow took the advantage for the first time early in the restart. A misjudged kick was collected by number eight Jack Dempsey, who fed captain Steyn to break a tackle and race away to the try-line.

Now in the driving seat, they secured the bonus point when Stafford McDowall powered past a tackle to score his 100th appearance for the team. This try capped a run of twenty-six unanswered points.

Sale gave themselves a late hope when Marius Louw used good footwork to cross. The conversion made it a five-point game with minutes remaining.

A final opportunity arose for them from a line-out in the corner, but they lost the ball, sealing the Warriors' triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale Sharks must regroup ahead of a journey to face Clermont this weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors will host six-time winners Toulouse to their home ground.

Both sides are placed in a competitive Pool One that also includes the English side and South African outfit 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 (French).