Cipriani and Johnson star as Wasps progress to quarter-final defeating Zebre

Zebre 27-41 Wasps, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Scorecard

Fly-half Danny Cipriani contributed with 16 points while Ashley Johnson scored a double as Wasps secured a 27-41 win over Zebre in the European Champions Cup encounter at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Sunday.

It was Zebre, who started the game well with a try from centre Mattia Bellini in the 13th minute while fly-half Carlo Canna scored a penalty and a conversion to take the lead to 10 points.

Wasps fly-half Cipriani and scrum half Marcello Violi exchanged penalties following which Zebre suffered a setback as hooker Oliviero Fabiani was sin-binned in the 29th minute.

Dai Young's men capitalised on the advantage and scored three tries in the final 10 minutes of the first half to take a nine-point lead for Wasps at half-time. Johnson, Cipriani and Elliot Daly were the contributors.

The infringements continued from the home team as this time number eight Derick Minnie was sin-binned in the 51st minute and once Johnson along with Christian Wade crossed over to stretch the lead to 21 points for the visitors.

A desperate try from fullback Kurt Baker in the 67th minute was negated by England international Nathan Hughes, who responded with a try of his own in the 75th minute.

Zebre's third try in the game came through replacement Federico Ruzza but they went on to lose the game with a 14-point margin. Wasps will take on Leinster in an away quarter-final.