Jones took his European points tally to 946 with four penalty goals and now Wasps only have to make sure there are no slip ups against Rugby Mogliano at Adams Park and Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade to win a last eight place.

But it was nip and tuck until Italian international centre Andrea Masi went over in the 73rd minute to put daylight between the sides after Bayonne had battled back to cut the deficit to just four points.

Jones steadied Wasps early nerves with three out of three successful penalty goals in the second, fifth and 13th minutes while at the other end Jacques-Louis Potgieter pushed two early attempts wide to let Wasps off the hook.

Jones proved fallible when he failed to add the conversion to full back Elliott Daly’s 31st minute try and Daly also contributed with the boot when he was on target with a penalty shortly before the break.

But Wasps’ hopes of keeping Bayonne scoreless going into half-time were dashed when All Black Joe Rokocoko, playing in the centre, broke through for a try Potgieter converted to cut the deficit to 10 points and set up a nervy final 40 minutes.

Bayonne’s next points came when they were reduced to 14 men with full back Scott Spedding kicking his heels in the sin bin but the goal kicking roles were reversed in the second period.

Wasps were guilty of giving Potgieter far too many chances with the boot and the outside half responded with three from three while Jones was on target with his only opportunity as the contest went into the final quarter with all to play for.

Wasps also suffered from going a man down when No 8 Billy Vunipola was yellow carded but Masi’s strike and replacement Nicky Robinson’s conversion and late penalty goal eased Wasps out of harm’s way and denied Bayonne even a losing bonus point.