Ulster Rugby beat Zebre Parma 40-21 in Challenge Cup opener

Ulster Rugby began their 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup campaign with a 40-21 bonus-point win over Zebre Parma in Italy on Saturday, 17 October.

The six-try victory at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi was Ulster’s first win of the season. They led 19-0 at half-time after a strong opening period, then had to withstand a second-half response from the hosts before Martin Moloney’s late try secured the bonus point.

Hooker Henry Walker marked his first competitive start for Ulster with two first-half tries. Nathan Doak converted both, while Jacob Stockdale also crossed during the opening half to give the visitors a commanding lead.

Zebre came back into the match after the break. Giovanni Licata scored shortly after half-time, but Ulster responded through captain Dave McCann, whose try restored their 19-point advantage.

The Italian side continued to press and tries from Alessandro Ortombina and Giovanni Montemauri brought them closer. Ulster were also reduced to 14 players when Jack Murphy received a yellow card, while Zebre’s Patricio Baronio was later sent to the sin-bin.

Michael Lowry crossed in the 70th minute, with Jamie Benson adding the conversion, but Montemauri’s try soon afterwards left Ulster needing another score to guarantee the bonus point. Moloney provided it in the closing minutes, finishing a sweeping attack before Benson converted.

Ulster’s six tries came from Walker (two), Stockdale, McCann, Lowry and Moloney. Zebre’s scorers were Licata, Ortombina and Montemauri.

The result gives Ulster five points from their opening Pool 1 match. The province were Challenge Cup finalists last season and will now look to build on a positive start to this year’s European campaign.

External link: Ulster Rugby v Zebre Parma match details

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