Saracens moved back to to the top of Heineken Cup Pool 3 for at least 24 hours after claiming a 39-10 bouns-point victory in Italy over Zebre.

George Kruis, Ernst Joubert and Chris Wyles all tuched down before Chris Ashton scored two tries in the space of eight minutes to wrap up the victory before Samu Vunisa notched a consolation for the hosts.

The visitors never looked back from the moment the boot of Charlie Hodgson opened the scoring and they scored their first try on 13 minutes when Kruis crashed over from five metres following an attacking scrum.

Hodgson converted and added a second penalty before another set-piece move saw Saracens claim their second try. Number eight Joubert stormed over from a well-worked lineout and despite Hodgson missing the conversion, the lead had been extended to 18-0.

Vunisa was yellow-carded for a professional foul moments later and Alex Goode made the most of his side's numerical upper hand. The full-back launched a counter-attack and Ashton's pass handed Wyles a simple finish in the corner, with Hodgson converting.

Sarries continued to press and Mauro Bergamasco joined his teammate in the sin-bin to leave Zebre two men down shortly before the break.

Gonzalo García did get the Italian outfit's first points on the board after the restart but their opponents continued to threaten.

David Strettle had a try disallowed before Ashton secured the bonus point after 61 minutes with Hodgson again converting.

The England wing then grabbed a second soon after following good work by Strettle and Goode. Owen Farrell converted for his first points of the game.

Zebre finished the stronger  though, and replacement Duncan Taylor was sent to the sin-bin for not releasing, Vunisa stepped through a gap in midfield and sprinted clear for his side's consolation try.