Glasgow Commanding in Bonus-Point Victory at Sale in Champions Cup First Round

The Scottish side began their Champions Cup campaign in ideal fashion with a valuable bonus-point away victory against Sale.

Taking advantage of the wind at their backs, Sale started 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, Glasgow fought back well with a pair of scores prior to half-time. Hooker Hiddleston and back-rower Rory Darge both went over to narrow the gap.

Further after the break tries from captain Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall pushed Glasgow's advantage to twelve points. Marius Louw's reply for the hosts promised a tense finish, but the visitors held firm to claim a major opening victory.

Warriors Seize Initiative Following Interval

Play began with a quick try as skipper Ernst van Rhyn drove over from short distance after just two minutes. An early knock to midfielder Ma'asi-White introduced 19-year-old Ollie Davies into the action for his European debut.

The youngster made an immediate impact. Moving to fly-half, he ran a good angle to take an pass and touch down, extending the home side's advantage.

Against difficult conditions, the Warriors turned to their set-piece to get back into the game. A powerful line-out drive was finished by hooker Gregor Hiddleston. Just before the half, Darge barged over, with Adam Hastings' conversion making it a two-point deficit at the interval.

The Scottish club seized the advantage for the first occasion early in the second half. A misjudged box-kick was collected by number eight Dempsey, who set up skipper Steyn to burst through a tackle and sprint to the try-line.

With in the ascendancy, they clinched the bonus point when McDowall powered past a tackle to score his 100th appearance for the team. This try capped a sequence of 26 consecutive points.

The hosts found a late hope when Louw used neat skills to cross. The kick made it a one-score game with time remaining.

One last opportunity came for Sale from a throw in the 22, but they failed to secure the ball, sealing Glasgow's triumph.

What's Next?

Sale Sharks must regroup ahead of a journey to face Clermont Auvergne this weekend. Meanwhile, Glasgow will host six-time winners Toulouse to their home ground.

The two sides are placed in a strong Pool One that also features Saracens and South African 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.

Officials

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