🔗 Share this article

Glasgow Warriors kicked off their Champions Cup campaign in perfect fashion with a crucial bonus-point away victory against Sale.

Taking advantage of the elements at their backs, the hosts began the brighter and raced to a 14-0 advantage within 20 minutes. Tries from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies gave them early control.

But, Glasgow fought back admirably with two tries before half-time. Hooker Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to reduce the gap.

Further after the break scores from Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall pushed the Warriors' advantage to twelve points. Marius Louw's try for Sale set up a nervous finale, but the visitors stood strong to secure a major opening win.

Glasgow Seize Initiative After Interval

The match started with a quick try as skipper Van Rhyn scored from short distance after only two minutes. A first-half knock to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Davies into the fray for his cup debut.

The youngster made an immediate contribution. Moving to fly-half, he took a good angle to take an offload and touch down, extending Sale's lead.

Facing challenging weather, Glasgow turned to their forward power to get back into the game. A powerful driving maul was touched down by hooker Hiddleston. Just before the break, Rory Darge forced his way over, with Hastings' conversion making it a narrow deficit at half-time.

Glasgow took the lead for the first occasion soon after the restart. A poor box-kick was collected by number eight Dempsey, who fed skipper Steyn to break a challenge and race away to the try-line.

With in the ascendancy, Glasgow clinched the bonus point when McDowall powered past a defender to score his 100th appearance for the club. This try capped a sequence of twenty-six unanswered points.

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

One last opportunity came for them from a line-out in the 22, but they failed to secure the possession, sealing the Warriors' victory.

Looking Ahead

Sale Sharks must regroup ahead of a trip to face Clermont Auvergne next Saturday. In contrast, Glasgow will welcome European giants Toulouse to their home ground.

The two sides are drawn in a competitive Pool One that also features the English side and Durban-based 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.

Match Officials

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