Match Preview | Sale Sharks (A)

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 13: Kyle Steyn during a Glasgow Warriors training session at Scotstoun Stadium, on October 13, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

It will be the second season in a row in which the Warriors have kicked off their European season in Greater Manchester, as they look to follow up on a memorable 2025/26 run in the competition that saw the Warriors go unbeaten in the pool stages.

Before we go again 👀 Some of our best moments against Sale Sharks over the years 🔥 https://t.co/71qWxZgrIf

— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) October 15, 2026

Welcoming them to the north of England tomorrow afternoon will be a Sale squad that comes packed with talent, and will be looking to make their own mark on the competition in front of their home supporters.

Here’s how the match is shaping up ahead of this weekend:

Team News

Ruwald van der Merwe will make his Glasgow Warriors debut tomorrow afternoon, after the summer arrival was selected at number eight for his first run-out in a Glasgow jersey.

There are eight changes in total from the team that claimed a bonus-point victory over Connacht last time out, with Scotland stars Kyle Steyn, Zander Fagerson and Alex Craig all in line for their first appearances of the campaign.

Welsh international duo Nicky Smith and Tom Francis line up as the props in Sale’s starting XV, in a forward pack that also boasts summer signings Courtney Lawes and Elia Canakaivata.

Behind the scrum, England fly-half George Ford is given the task of pulling the strings, with Scotland internationals Arron Reed and Gus Warr also included by Head Coach Alex Sanderson.

Last visit to Corpacq Stadium

Stafford McDowall will have fond memories of his previous run out at the Corpacq Stadium, after the centre capped his 100^th appearance for Glasgow Warriors with a crucial try in last season’s Investec Champions Cup victory.

Having been 14-0 down after the opening half-hour, tries from Gregor Hiddleston and Rory Darge ensured that the Warriors were more than in the match at the half-time interval.

A superb solo score from Kyle Steyn and McDowall’s try then secured the points for Smith’s men, holding off a late Sale fightback to earn a 26-21 victory and delight the travelling Warrior Nation.

Form guide

The Warriors come into the match after an unbeaten start to the BKT United Rugby Championship campaign, sitting second after the opening three rounds of competition.

Bonus-point victories away to Munster and at home to Connacht sandwich a 33-33 draw with Ulster at Scotstoun, giving Smith’s squad 13 points from a possible 15 to start the season.

The Sharks currently sit seventh in a congested Gallagher PREM table, despite recording two wins from their opening three fixtures.

Sanderson’s squad bounced back from an opening day defeat to Bristol Bears by recording an impressive win away at Saracens, before coming from behind to claim a bonus-point win over Harlequins at the Corpacq Stadium last weekend.

What they said

Ollie Smith: “I think you saw what happened last year [by winning away to Sale], it just gave us that real confidence to back ourselves against European competition.

“It’s a really tough place to go and it’s quite hostile. If we can come away with a win like we did last year, it really catapulted us on to bigger and better things in the competition.”

How to watch

The match is live on Premier Sports 1 from 12.30pm, with kick-off scheduled for 1pm.

You can also follow all the action as it happens in our Live Match Centre at glasgowwarriors.org.