Rugby Calvisano led for much of the game and even had an 80^th minute shot at goal to take the victory, but Kelly Haimona’s kick drifted wide. Nobody would have complained had they won.

Haimona had a hit and miss day after opening the scoring with a 10^th minute penalty. He then missed with two further shots, allowing Thomas Laranjeira to level midway through the first-half.

But the outside half was able to convert the try from Italian international full back Benjamin de Jager after 28 minutes to give the home side a 10-3 lead. Brive responded quickly, lock Simon Pinet crossing for a try which Laranjeira converted, before Haimona brought the first half to an end with another penalty.

Calvisano failed to take advantage when Brive lock Tjiuee Uanivi was sent to the sin bin two minutes after the restart. Haimona missed with a third shot at goal and Laranjeira levelled matters at 13-13 with a successful penalty of his own.

Now it was the turn of the home side to lose a player to the bin, hooker Sami Panico picking up 10 minutes, but Brive weren’t able to make their numerical supremacy count either. Laranjeira missed the chance to put his side ahead with his boot and the Italians hit the front again when they conjured up a try for wing Michele Visentin.

This time Haimona was on target with the conversion and Calvisano had to hold on for 16 minutes to take the points. Nearly, but not quite. Lyons’ try brought Brive back into the equation and Haimona’s fourth miss of the game proved costly.