Ulster’s six-try display earns bonus point against Zebre

Ulster powered to a 40‑21 win in Parma, securing the maximum two points in their European Challenge Cup opener. The province crossed the line six times, with academy graduate Henry Walker stealing the show on his first competitive start, adding a brace to a performance that also featured Jacob Stockdale, David McCann, Mike Lowry and Martin Moloney among the try‑scorers.

Zebre began the match on the front foot, taking a 19‑0 lead before the half‑time whistle. Their early dominance was highlighted by a try from Giovanni Licata, converted by Giacomo da Re, and a second score from Alessandro Ortombina, also converted. Ulster, however, responded with a flurry of points in the first half. Walker broke through for his maiden senior try, followed shortly by Stockdale finishing a sweeping move in the corner to make it 12‑0. Walker added a second try before the break, giving Ulster a 19‑0 lead at the interval.

The second half saw Zebre claw back, with Licata’s early try after a scrum and a conversion putting them on the board. McCann, captaining the side for the first time, answered with a try of his own, restoring Ulster’s 19‑point cushion. Ten minutes later, replacement Jack Murphy was shown a yellow card, leaving Ulster with a numerical advantage. They made the most of it as Ortombina struck for Zebre, narrowing the gap, but Lowry then completed a patient build‑up on the left wing to extend Ulster’s lead. Giovanni Montemauri’s try for the visitors briefly threatened the bonus‑point margin, but Moloney, who came on for McCann, crossed soon after to re‑establish the three‑try buffer and seal the full four points.

Ulster will now turn their attention back to the United Rugby Championship, where a series of away fixtures awaits, beginning with a double‑header against South African sides the Bulls and the Stormers. The match line‑ups were as follows:

Ulster: Jacob Stockdale; Michael Baloucoune, Tom Hawkshaw, Rory Flannery, Zach Ward; Ben Benson, Nathan Doak; Michael O’Toole, Henry Walker, James Knox, John Sheridan, Tolu Adeyemi, David McCann (c), Augustus.

Replacements: James Stewart, Conor O’Sullivan, Sam Wilson, Tom Hopes, Martin Moloney, Conor Devine, Jack Murphy, Mike Lowry.

Zebre: Giovanni Montemauri; Giulio, Marco Zanon, Luca Mazza, Tom Wade; Giacomo da Re, Francesco Fusco; Andrea Pellicioli, Marco Di Bartolomeo, Luca Barbatti; Luca Ruffolo, Alessandro Ortombina; Marco Ferrari, Marco Stavile, Giovanni Licata.

The Challenge Cup will pause until December, giving Ulster a chance to regroup before their next European test.