🔗 Share this article

The Scottish side kicked off their Champions Cup journey in perfect fashion with a crucial four-try away victory against Sale Sharks.

Taking advantage of the wind at their backs, the hosts started strongly and built a 14-0 lead within 20 minutes. Scores from Ernst van Rhyn and youngster Ollie Davies put them in command.

But, the visitors responded well with a pair of scores before the interval. Hooker Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both crossed to reduce the deficit.

Additional second-half scores from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall pushed Glasgow's lead to 26-14. A late try for Sale set up a nervous finale, but the visitors held firm to secure a major opening victory.

Warriors Take Control Following Half-Time

The match started with a quick try as skipper Ernst van Rhyn drove over from close range after only two minutes. A first-half injury to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Davies into the fray for his European debut.

Davies made an immediate impact. Moving to fly-half, he took a good support line to collect an offload and touch down, making Sale's lead.

Against challenging weather, Glasgow turned to their forward power to fight back into the game. A strong driving maul was finished by front-rower Hiddleston. Just before the break, Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' kick making it a two-point deficit at the interval.

The Scottish club seized the lead for the first occasion soon after the restart. A poor box-kick was collected by No. 8 Dempsey, who set up skipper Kyle Steyn to break a tackle and race away to the line.

Now in the driving seat, Glasgow clinched the fourth try when Stafford McDowall powered past a tackle to celebrate his 100th appearance for the team. This try completed a run of 26 unanswered points.

Sale gave themselves a lifeline when Marius Louw showed neat skills to cross. The kick made it a five-point game with time left.

One last chance arose for Sale from a line-out in the 22, but they failed to secure the possession, sealing Glasgow's victory.

Looking Ahead

Sale must bounce back ahead of a trip to face Clermont Auvergne this weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors will welcome European giants Toulouse to Scotstoun.

The two sides are placed in a strong Pool One that also features Saracens and Durban-based outfit 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).