🔗 Share this article

The Scottish side began 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 started strongly and raced to a fourteen-point lead within the first quarter. Scores from Ernst van Rhyn and teenage debutant Ollie Davies gave them early control.

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

Additional after the break scores from captain Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' advantage to 26-14. Marius Louw's reply for the hosts promised a nervous finale, but Glasgow stood strong to claim a significant first-round victory.

Glasgow Take Control After Interval

Play began with a quick try as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn drove over from close range after just two minutes. A first-half injury to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White introduced 19-year-old Ollie Davies into the action for his cup debut.

Davies made an instant contribution. Moving to fly-half, he took a smart support line to take an offload and touch down, making the home side's lead.

Against difficult conditions, the Warriors turned to their forward power to get back into the contest. A powerful line-out drive was touched down by front-rower Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the half, Darge forced his way over, with Hastings' conversion making it a narrow game at half-time.

Glasgow seized the lead for the first time soon after the restart. A poor box-kick was gathered by No. 8 Jack Dempsey, who fed skipper Steyn to burst through a challenge and race away to the try-line.

Now in the ascendancy, they clinched the bonus point when McDowall powered past a defender to score his 100th appearance for the club. That score completed a run of twenty-six consecutive points.

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

One last chance came for Sale from a throw in the corner, but they failed to secure the ball, sealing Glasgow's triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale Sharks must bounce back ahead of a journey to face Clermont Auvergne this weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow will host six-time winners Toulouse to Scotstoun.

Both sides are drawn in a competitive Pool One that also includes 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.

Match Officials

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