The Glasgow Warriors opened their Investec Champions Cup campaign in style on a grim, rain-soaked night in Manchester.
Franco Smith’s men roared back from 14 points down to claim a bonus-point 26-21 victory over the Sale Sharks.
The hosts made the perfect start, turning early pressure into points when a lineout drive powered captain Ernst van Rhyn over for the opening try.
They doubled their lead soon after, with winger Arron Reed breaking down the right touchline before linking with replacement flyhalf Ollie Davies, who finished under the posts for a commanding 14-0 lead.
But Glasgow refused to wilt in the conditions. Gregor Hiddleston crashed over from a lineout to get the visitors on the board, and the maul delivered again just before the break when flank Rory Darge forced the ball down. Despite dominating the closing stages of the half, flyhalf Adam Hastings’ missed conversion left the Warriors trailing 14-12 at the break.
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The momentum shift became a full surge straight after the restart. A skewed Sale box kick was snapped up by South African-born Scotland wing Kyle Steyn, who stepped through a tackle and raced away to score as Glasgow hit the front for the first time.
Centre Stafford McDowall then sliced through the midfield for Glasgow’s bonus-point try, completing 26 unanswered points from Smith’s side.
Sale rallied late, with midfielder Marius Louw powering over to secure a losing bonus point, but Glasgow had already done enough to bank an invaluable away win in Europe.
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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