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

Taking advantage of the wind at their backs, Sale started the brighter and raced to a fourteen-point lead within the first quarter. Scores from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies gave them early control.

But, the visitors fought back admirably with a pair of scores before the interval. Hooker Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to reduce the gap.

Additional second-half tries from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' lead to 26-14. Marius Louw's try for the hosts promised a tense finish, but the visitors held firm to claim a major opening win.

Warriors Seize Initiative After Interval

Play began with a bang as skipper Van Rhyn drove over from short distance 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.

The youngster made an instant impact. Moving to fly-half, he took a smart support line to take an offload and score, extending Sale's lead.

Facing challenging conditions, the Warriors used their set-piece to fight back into the contest. A powerful driving maul was finished by front-rower Hiddleston. Just before the break, Rory Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a two-point game at half-time.

Glasgow seized the advantage for the first time early in the restart. A poor kick was gathered by No. 8 Jack Dempsey, who set up skipper Steyn to burst through a tackle and race away to the try-line.

With in the driving seat, they clinched the fourth try when Stafford McDowall ran through a tackle to score his century for the team. This try completed a run of 26 unanswered points.

Sale gave themselves a lifeline when Marius Louw used neat footwork to score. The kick made it a five-point game with time remaining.

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

What's Next?

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

Both sides are drawn in a competitive Pool One that also features the English side and Durban-based outfit the 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 (French) and Julien Caulier (French).
TMO: Tual Trainini (French).