Glasgow Warriors scored seven tries to beat Sale Sharks 47–27 in the Investec Champions Cup on Saturday, turning a closely contested first half into an emphatic away victory at CorpAcq Stadium.

The match began with a minute’s silence for former Sale lock Hyron Andrews, who died on Friday at the Johannesburg Lions’ team hotel before their European fixture in La Rochelle. Players and supporters were visibly emotional before kick-off.

Sale started strongly and remained within reach after the interval, but Glasgow’s finishing proved decisive. Late tries from replacements Ollie Smith and Ottavio Tuipulotu gave Warriors a three-try advantage over the hosts and an additional bonus point under this season’s tournament rules.

The result gives Franco Smith’s side an important European win away from home. It also followed a previous comeback against Sale, when Warriors recovered from 14 points behind to win 26–21 during last season’s competition.

Sale start fast before discipline costs them

Ben Curry opened Sale’s try account by breaking away from a maul, and Arron Reed finished out wide after a sharp passing move. The home side’s early attacking success posed an immediate challenge to Glasgow’s pack and defensive organisation.

Warriors were awarded a penalty try after a maul infringement that sent Sale scrum-half Gus Warr to the sin-bin. Tom Roebuck then joined him after tripping Glasgow captain Kyle Steyn, leaving the hosts with two players temporarily off the field.

Rory Darge spilled the ball with a scoring opportunity available, but Steyn subsequently raced down the wing to finish. Glasgow were beginning to make their numerical advantage count after Sale’s positive opening.

George Ford’s penalty put Sale back ahead before Jamie Dobie produced an excellent finish to restore the visitors’ lead. Glasgow reached half-time 21–15 in front, with the contest still close enough for the home side to mount another response.

Warriors pull away

Lock Alex Craig scored from close range after the break, but Rekeiti Ma’asi-White crossed for Sale following sustained pressure. The hosts continued to find ways to stay in the match rather than allowing Glasgow an uncontested second half.

A one-handed offload from Joe Carpenter then created another try for Reed, responding to a Glasgow maul score. Sale ultimately scored four tries, with Ford adding two conversions and a penalty.

Warriors nevertheless finished the stronger side. Smith and Ottavio Tuipulotu came from the bench to score, bringing Glasgow’s total to seven tries: the penalty try, plus scores from Steyn, Dobie, Craig, Darge and the two replacements.

George Horne kicked four conversions and Dan Lancaster added another. The 20-point winning margin reflected Glasgow’s ability to convert their late opportunities after Sale had repeatedly threatened to reduce the gap.

The BBC reported that a new rule awards an extra tournament point to a team scoring at least three more tries than its opponent. Glasgow’s seven against Sale’s four met that condition, making the final scores significant beyond the result itself.

Tribute remains central to the day

Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson praised the way his players had supported one another following Andrews’s death. He told BBC Radio 5 Live that the South African had made Manchester his second home and formed close friendships at the club.

Sanderson said the squad would help Andrews’s family and stressed that the tragedy had not been used as a motivational device. He described the grief as still raw and said people needed to process it in their own time.

Andrews, 31, had played 45 times for Sale. The tribute gave the match an emotional context distinct from the tactical and tournament questions, and the hosts’ strong opening came on a day when many were grieving a former teammate.

Darge, speaking after Glasgow’s win, said Sale’s pack had provided a demanding challenge. He credited Warriors’ set-piece performance and said the players would enjoy the result because they knew how difficult an away victory there could be.

European ambitions renewed

Glasgow won all their pool matches with bonus points last season before losing to Toulon in the quarter-finals at Scotstoun. Saturday’s performance offers another encouraging result, but does not itself settle qualification or guarantee a deeper run this time.

The next round of Champions Cup fixtures is scheduled for December. Warriors will host Pau, while Sale travel to Dublin to face Leinster. Glasgow leave with a substantial away win and the benefit of their late scoring burst, while Sale must regroup after a difficult day both on and off the field.