Ulster crossed for six tries in a 40-21 bonus-point win over Zebre, launching their European Challenge Cup campaign in style.
Fans who follow the southern hemisphere's growing footprint in European club rugby, South African talent especially, have another competition to watch. The European Challenge Cup is up and running, and Ulster have opened with a statement away in Italy.
The Northern Irish side ran in six tries to beat Zebre 40-21 in Parma. That tally earned the all-important bonus point, which can make a big difference when the pool tables tighten later in the competition.
Zebre, to their credit, kept scoring and finished with 21 points. But Ulster's finishing was the difference, and the visitors turned their pressure into scores often enough to control the contest and take the win.
It is a strong start for Ulster, who leave Italy with maximum momentum. Zebre must regroup quickly and find more defensive control if they want to stay in the hunt as the Challenge Cup pool phase unfolds.
