Perpignan continued their strong start to the season with a 27-16 victory over Benetton Treviso in the opening Heineken Cup Pool 3 clash at Stade Aime Giral.

The Top 14 side were forced to come from 10 points behind to finally overcome the Italian champions and put down the first marker in what is sure to be a tough group also including Ospreys and Leicester Tigers.

The visitors opened the scoring with a fifth minute penalty from Andrea Marcato and then a try from full back Emiliano Mulieri, which Marcato converted. Perpignan responded with a spell of pressure that resulted in a yellow card for Treviso centre Benjamin De Jager and penalty try for the hosts that was converted by fullback Jerome Porical.

Treviso stretched their lead with a penalty from Marcato which was cancelled out by a drop goal from David Mele. And Perpignan took control of the contest with a try from Porical before the break which he also converted.

Another Mele drop goal edged his side further ahead and centre Jean-Philippe Grandclaude notched their third try midway through the half - Porical once again adding the extras.

Treviso's cause was not helped with their second yellow card of the game - this time to prop Salvatore Costanzo but they did manage a late penalty from replacement Marius Goosen.

Perpignan: Porical, Plante, Marty, Grandclaude, Sid, Mele, Cusiter, Freshwater, Tincu, Mas, Olibeau, Alvarez, Britz, Perez, Chouly.

Replacements: Candelon for Porical (74), Burger for Marty (41), Chobet for Freshwater (47), Guirado for Tincu (64), Pulu for Mas (64), Vilaceca for Olibeau (64), Guiry for Britz (64).

Treviso: Williams, Mulieri, De Jager, Waters, Vilk, Marcato, Picone, Allori, Sbaraglini, Costanzo, E. Pavanello, van Zyl, Orlando, Louw, Kingi, Filippucci, A. Pavanello.

Replacements: Goosen for Marcato (54), Botes for Picone (64), VIdal for Sbaraglini (39), A. Pavanello for E. Pavanello (45), Filippucci for Orlando (45), Gilbride for Filippucci (80), A. Ceccato for A. Pavanello (70).

Sin Bin: De Jager (22), Costanzo (60).

Heineken Man of the Match: D Mele (Perpignan)

Referee: James Jones (Wales)

Att: 11,151