Glasgow impress with bonus-point win at Sale in Champions Cup opener

Investec Champions Cup

Sale (14) 21

Tries: Van Rhyn, Davies, Louw Cons: Du Preez 3

Glasgow (12) 26

Tries: Hiddleston, Darge, Steyn, McDowall Cons: Hastings 3

Glasgow Warriors enjoyed a dream opening night in the Champions Cup with a bonus-point win away at Sale Sharks.

With the wind at their backs, Sale started the better of the two sides and raced into a 14-0 lead inside 20 minutes through Ernst van Rhyn and teenage debutant Ollie Davies.

But Glasgow responded well and hit back with two tries of their own before the break through Gregor Hiddleston and Rory Darge.

Further tries from Kyle Steyn and Stafford McDowall pushed Glasgow 26-14 ahead before Marius Louw replied as Sale threatened a late rally but the visitors held on for a precious away win.

The two sides were also in the same pool in last year's competition when Glasgow won 38-19 at Scotstoun, and this second victory in as many years is a significant early blow to Sale's hopes of progressing.

More to follow

Sale: 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: 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.

Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)

Assistant referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (France) and Julien Caulier (France)

TMO: Tual Trainini (France)