Glasgow Warriors Commanding in Four-Try Victory at Sale Sharks in Champions Cup Opener

Glasgow Warriors kicked off their Champions Cup campaign in perfect fashion with a valuable four-try away victory against Sale.

With the elements at their backs, the hosts began the brighter and raced to a 14-0 lead within the first quarter. Scores from the Sale skipper and teenage debutant Ollie Davies put them in command.

However, the visitors responded well with a pair of scores before half-time. Hooker Hiddleston and flanker Rory Darge both crossed to narrow the deficit.

Additional after the break tries from captain Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall extended Glasgow's advantage to 26-14. Marius Louw's reply for Sale promised a tense finale, but the visitors stood strong to claim a major opening victory.

Glasgow Take Control After Interval

The match began with a bang as Sale captain Van Rhyn drove over from short distance after only two minutes. An early injury to midfielder Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Ollie Davies into the action for his cup debut.

Davies made an instant impact. Moving to fly-half, he ran a good angle to collect an offload and score, extending the home side's lead.

Facing challenging weather, the Warriors turned to their set-piece to get back into the contest. A strong line-out drive was finished by hooker Hiddleston. Just before the half, Rory Darge forced his way over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a two-point game at half-time.

Glasgow took the lead for the first occasion soon after the restart. A misjudged kick was collected by No. 8 Jack Dempsey, who fed skipper Kyle Steyn to break a tackle and race away to the try-line.

With in the ascendancy, Glasgow clinched the bonus point when McDowall ran through a tackle to celebrate his 100th appearance for the club. That score capped a run of twenty-six consecutive points.

Sale found a lifeline when Marius Louw used good footwork to cross. The kick made it a one-score game with minutes left.

One last chance came for them from a line-out in the 22, but they failed to secure the possession, confirming Glasgow's triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale must bounce back ahead of a trip to face Clermont next Saturday. Meanwhile, Glasgow Warriors will host European giants Toulouse to their home ground.

The two sides are drawn in a strong first pool that also features Saracens and South African team 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 (France).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France) and Julien Caulier (French).
TMO: Tual Trainini (France).