Glasgow Warriors 38-19 Sale Sharks: Three things we learned

The most individual action in one half ever?

George Horne delivered a magnificent first-half performance, scoring a hat-trick before the interval while also being sin-binned for attempting to halt a Sale maul.

Surely there can't have been many instances of a player scoring a hat-trick in one half when they only played 30 minutes of it?

His second try was a thing of beauty, tip-toeing down the sideline to gather his own grubber kick before dotting down in the corner under pressure from the scrambling Sale defence.

The scrum-half was at his electric best and finished the match with 21 points. He is a central figure for Franco Smith's side.

Glasgow forwards immense

While Horne stole the headlines for his try-scoring exploits, this was a performance built on a wonderful display from the Warriors' forward pack.

There appeared to be multiple Rory Darges on the pitch, such was the body of work the Scotland flanker got through, and Jamie Bhatti's assist for Horne's third try will live long in the memory.

Glasgow were solid at both scrum and lineout and dominated the breakdown, both hampering Sale's attack and fuelling Glasgow's attack.

Zero rucks lost, 13 turnovers and a 100% maul success rate are all statistics that illustrate the forwards' influence.

Warriors serious contenders in Europe

Glasgow have now won their last 11 home matches in all competitions, stretching back to a defeat by Northampton Saints in December last year.

Toulon, Sharks and Stormers have all lost at fortress Scotstoun in 2024, and this was another demonstration of Smith's side's strength in front of their own fans.

With a URC title in the cabinet and the memories of away wins against Munster and then the league final in Pretoria, Warriors have proven their ability to beat top-class teams time and time again.

No team in the Champions Cup would be pleased to see themselves drawn against Glasgow. Although there are sterner tests than Sale to come, they will fancy their chances of a serious run in Europe.

It would be a disappointment if they do not get beyond the quarter-finals - their previous best finish.