Dax took an early lead with a try from winger Joe M'Bu but the hosts powered into a 28-5 half-time lead thanks to tries from Matteo Pratichetti, Marco Stanojevic and Winston Mafi and 13 points from Gerard Fraser.

The visitors showed signs of a comeback soon after the re-start when Sebastien Roque touched down and Gavin Williams converted but from then on Calvisano stepped on the accelerator.

Further tries from Warren Spragg, Fraser, Alessandro Zanni and Pratichetti put the result beyond doubt with Fraser also adding three more conversions.

Dax claimed a consolation score in the dying moments from Florian Argel that was converted by Williams.

The victory sees Calvisano set the early pace in Pool 5 ahead of Leeds Carnegie.

Calvisano (28) 54
Tries: Pratichetti (2), Stanojevic, Mafi, Fraser, Zanni, Spragg
Con: Fraser (6)
Pen: Fraser (3)

Dax (5) 19
Tries: Argel (2), M'Bu, Roque
Con: Williams (2)

Rugby Calvisano: P Buso; L Nitoglia, W Mafi, M Pratichetti, M Stanojevic; G Fraser, P Patelli; A McKenzie, L Ghiraldini (capt), L Cittadini, B Hand, C Treloar, D Dal Maso, A Persico, J Purll.

Replacements: G Bocca, A Vigne Donati, A Zanni, F Cristiano, P Griffen, D Forcucci, W Spragg.

Dax: G Williams; G Tutard, D Bell, F Argel, J M'Bu; M Sweeney, N Morlaes; K Lealamanua, W Bonet (capt), N Decamps, M Sierra, A Mazel, M Lievremont, O August, P Caillet.

Replacements: R Rameau, M Auzqui, R Boyoud, G August, J Pezet, S Roque, R Lafourcade.

Referee: Dean Richards (England)