Glasgow Impressive in Four-Try Win at Sale in Champions Cup Opener

Glasgow Warriors kicked off their Champions Cup journey in ideal fashion with a valuable bonus-point away victory against Sale.

With the wind at their backs, Sale started the brighter and raced to a fourteen-point lead within the first quarter. Tries from Ernst van Rhyn and teenage debutant Ollie Davies gave them early control.

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

Additional second-half scores from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' advantage to twelve points. Marius Louw's reply for Sale promised a nervous finale, but Glasgow stood strong to secure a major opening win.

Glasgow Seize Initiative Following Interval

The match began with a quick try as Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn drove over from short distance after only two minutes. A first-half injury to centre Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Davies into the action for his European debut.

The youngster made an instant contribution. Switching to fly-half, he took a good support line to take an offload and touch down, extending the home side's lead.

Against difficult conditions, Glasgow turned to their set-piece to get back into the contest. A strong line-out drive was touched down by hooker Hiddleston. Just before the half, Darge forced his way over, with Hastings' kick making it a narrow deficit at half-time.

Glasgow seized the advantage for the first occasion early in the restart. A misjudged box-kick was collected by No. 8 Jack Dempsey, who set up skipper Kyle Steyn to burst through a tackle and sprint to the line.

Now in the ascendancy, they secured the fourth try when McDowall ran through a tackle to celebrate his century for the team. This try completed a sequence of twenty-six unanswered points.

Sale gave themselves a late hope when Marius Louw used neat skills to cross. The conversion made it a one-score game with time left.

A final chance arose for them from a line-out in the corner, but they failed to secure the possession, sealing Glasgow's triumph.

Looking Ahead

Sale must bounce back ahead of a trip to face Clermont Auvergne this weekend. In contrast, Glasgow will host European giants Toulouse to Scotstoun.

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

Officials

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