🔗 Share this article

Glasgow Warriors began their European journey in ideal fashion with a valuable bonus-point win on the road against Sale.

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

But, the visitors responded admirably with a pair of scores before the interval. Hooker Gregor Hiddleston and back-rower Darge both crossed to reduce the deficit.

Additional after the break scores from Kyle Steyn and centurion Stafford McDowall extended the Warriors' advantage to twelve points. A late try for the hosts promised a tense finish, but the visitors held firm to claim a major first-round win.

Warriors Take Control After Interval

The match began with a quick try as Sale captain Van Rhyn scored from short distance after just two minutes. A first-half injury to midfielder Rekeiti Ma'asi-White brought 19-year-old Davies into the fray for his European debut.

The youngster made an instant impact. Switching to fly-half, he took a good angle to take an offload and touch down, extending the home side's advantage.

Facing difficult conditions, Glasgow turned to their forward power to get back into the contest. A powerful driving maul was touched down by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Prior to the half, Darge forced his way over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a narrow deficit at half-time.

The Scottish club seized the lead for the first occasion early in the restart. A misjudged box-kick was collected by No. 8 Jack Dempsey, who fed skipper Kyle Steyn to burst through a challenge and sprint to the try-line.

Now in the ascendancy, they clinched the bonus point when McDowall powered past a tackle to celebrate his 100th appearance for the team. That score capped a sequence of 26 unanswered points.

Sale gave themselves a late hope when Louw showed neat skills to score. The kick made it a one-score game with time left.

One last opportunity arose for Sale from a throw in the corner, but they lost the ball, confirming Glasgow's triumph.

Looking Ahead

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

The two sides are placed in a competitive first pool that also includes the English side and Durban-based team the Hollywoodbets 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 (French).
Assistant Referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (French) and Julien Caulier (French).
TMO: Tual Trainini (French).