Glasgow Warriors 38-19 Sale Sharks: George Horne leads hosts Champions Cup win
Glasgow Warriors kicked off their Investec Champions League campaign with a landslide victory over the visiting Sale Sharks.
George Horn scored three of Glasgow’s five first-half shots, with Kyle Rowe and Huw Jones also adding crosses.
A penalty from Sale and another from Aaron Reid before half-time, followed by a second-half goal from Joe Carpenter.
Scott Cummings’ goal completed Glasgow’s victory.
The United Rugby Football Championship champions took the lead within three minutes of a fiery start. Matt Fagerson blocked the tackle and handed the ball to Huw Jones, who in turn fed Horne to accelerate the breakaway resulting from ‘s gap. Horn himself became a convert.
Horn was on hand again, catching a ruck, then chasing his own ruck and kicking it to the opposite right. However, his attempts at conversion were extensive.
Sale’s offensive wave kept coming, and the Warriors’ quick processing from right to left broke out and touched down in the middle, easily converting Horn into a goal.
After a brutal opening 20 minutes, the Sharks collected themselves and earned a penalty through the rolling hammer, with Horn sent to the bin for a break from the side.
But Glasgow soon scored a bonus point. Rory Darge’s pick-and-roll near the free throw line set up Sebastian Cancelliere with a pass to the right that allowed Jones to run in. Tom Jordan converted in Horn’s absence.
Sale still had the numerical advantage and had help from Scotland winger Arron Reed in all phases of the attack. Rob du Preez’s pass created a chance for Reed but the fly-half conversion went wide in the windy Scotstoun.
Horne’s hat-trick was largely down to the power of Jamie Bhatti, who raced into the top 22 before curling a side shot near the post. Horn transformed.
Glasgow goalkeeper Scott Cummings appeared to knock Carpenter out of the air early in the second half but avoided a yellow card.
Carpenter was next to register, hustling through the crowd for a simple conversion for Du Preez.
Sale had now claimed a bonus point and a bonus point for a loss but Cummings put an end to that ambition when Glasgow added their sixth try near Horn’s pass. Horn’s conversion was unsuccessful.
Angus Fraser missed the game after receiving a yellow card for a high tackle on Raffi Quirke in the final seconds of the game.
The Warriors will face Toulon away next Sunday (13:00 GMT) and Sale will host Racing 92 at home on Friday (20:00).
