Glasgow Warriors made the perfect start to the European Champions Cup campaign with an excellent 26-21 win away to Sale Sharks.
The English outfit have an excellent record at home and Glasgow were up against it as they conceded two tries in the opening 20 minutes but they responded brilliantly to secure a bonus-point win.
Sale were without several key players, including their talisman George Ford, but they made an fantastic start as they opened the scoring after just four minutes. The hosts applied pressure close to the Warriors line and Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn burrowed over from close range with Rob du Preez adding the extras.
It went from bad to worse for Franco Smith’s men when Ollie Davies added Sale’s second try on 19 minutes. Glasgow were weak in defence and Aaron Reed burst through a tackle before feeding the ball to Ollie Davies to sail over - Du Preez made it 14-0.
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Glasgow were insipid during the opening quarter but rallied impressively and began to take control of proceedings. Their renowned rolling maul was the avenue back into the game as Gregor Hiddleston powered over from the back of the lineout on 31 minutes.
Adam Hastings missed a difficult conversion but Glasgow began to assert serious pressure and Rory Darge scored Glasgow’s second at the perfect moment on the stroke of half-time - Hastings added the conversion to make it 14-12 at the break.
The game continued in a similar vein after the interval with Glasgow firmly on top and they gained the lead for the first time on 42 minutes. A poor box kick was collected gleefully by Kyle Steyn and the Warriors captain raced away to score with Hastings adding the extras.
It got even better for the visitors when Stafford McDowall powered over the line on 55 minutes. Hastings added the conversion to make it 26-12 in Glasgow’s favour with the Scottish side scoring 26 unanswered points.
Sale, however, rallied and Marius Louw scored from close range on 66 minutes with du Preez adding the conversion to make it a nervy final 15 minutes for Glasgow. But their game management was impressive and they held on for a huge victory.
Here are five things we learned.
Perfect start to Champions Cup campaign
Although they lost last weekend narrowly to Exeter, Sale seldom lose at home but Glasgow recorded a famous win.
There was a sense of déjà vu as the Warriors also beat Sale in their opening Champions Cup tie last season.
It was the perfect response to a dismal defeat to the Scarlets last weekend and it showed the importance of having all their internationals back.
Glasgow have a tough group but they’ll be full of confidence against Toulouse next weekend as the Warriors aim to make the knockout stages again.
Terrible opening
There’s no point sugar-coating it, Glasgow were poor during the opening 20 minutes.
They should’ve been fired up and determined to avenge the horrendous defeat to the Scarlets but they were miles off it. Sale scored early and Glasgow put up little defence. It was all far too easy.
The visitors had plenty of possession during that period but they were unable to penetrate the hosts defence and there were too many handling errors.
They trailed by 14 points and it looked like it would be a long evening but the Warriors had other ideas. Granted they were against the wind in difficult conditions but they weren't good enough.
Fantastic fightback
After a dismal opening twenty minutes, Glasgow could’ve felt sorry for themselves and succumbed to a costly defeat, but their response was outstanding. In terms of territory and possession, the Warriors were utterly dominant in the first half.
Despite trailing by two points on the scoreboard, Glasgow raced down at the tunnel at half-time in the ascendancy. They had 60% territory and 70% possession in the first half and deserve immense credit for how they fronted up amid adversity. They were ferocious at the breakdown, began to dominate the set-piece and they played with an intensity that Sale couldn’t deal with.
Back row brilliance
Glasgow’s fightback was led by their back-row and Smith will be delighted to have his best three options back fit.
It’s been a long time since the Warriors have been able to call upon Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson and Jack Dempsey but what a difference it made. Darge and Fagerson were sensational and they grew into the game as they covered every blade of grass as Glasgow put Sale under significant pressure.
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Glasgow’s back row, alongside their centre partnership, is the strongest area of their squad and the aforementioned trio truly stepped up when the Warriors needed them. Darge scored the vital try before the break and the back-row won an incredible three turnovers within 15 minutes of the second half. All three were magnificent.
Special Stafford celebrates century
Smith reiterated his belief pre-match that McDowall is an unsung hero but he’s certainly appreciated amongst his Warriors teammates.
It was a special occasion for the 27-year-old as he made his 100th appearance for Glasgow and he marked it as an excellent score.
McDowall bounced off a Sale defender, showing his strength and he was never going to be stopped. The Scotland international is such a dependable performer for club and country.
He never lets Glasgow down and he should be proud of the career that he’s made for himself.
Sale Sharks: Arron Reed (Warr 50), Tom O’Flaherty, Rekeiti Ma’asi-White (Davies 16) Marius Louw, Alex Wills, Rob du Preez, Raffi Quirke (Wehr 62); Si McIntyre (Onasanya 48), Nathan Jibulu (Caine 51-62, 72), WillGriff John (Harper 48), Tom Burrow (Andrews 50), Ben Bamber, Jacques Vermeulen (B Curry 50), Ernst van Rhyn (captain), Tom Curry
Tries: Van Rhyn (2), Davies (19), Louw (66)
Conversions: Du Preez (3, 20, 67)
Glasgow Warriors: Josh McKay, Kyle Steyn (captain), Stafford McDowall, Sione Tuipulotu (captain), Ollie Smith, Adam Hastings, George Horne (Dobie 57); Nathan McBeth (Sutherland 57), Gregor Hiddleston (Stephen 50), Zander Fagerson (Talakai 57), Max Williamson (Craig 58), Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson (Miller 78), Rory Darge (Brown 57), Jack Dempsey
Tries: Hiddleston (31), Darge (39), Steyn (43), McDowall (55)
Conversions: Hastings (40, 44, 56)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
Player of the Match: Josh McKay
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