Ulster Secures Crucial Win Over Zebre in United Rugby Championship Clash
Ulster bounced back with a crucial 28-12 victory against Zebre in the United Rugby Championship on October 1, 2023, in Parma. This win was essential for Ulster, who had lost three of their last five league matches, as they aimed to strengthen their position for home advantage in the playoffs. The match began with Zebre applying early pressure, leading to a try by Matteo Canali in the 11th minute. However, the tide turned when Zebre's Simone Gesi received a red card for eye-gouging Stuart McCloskey just before the half-hour mark. Ulster responded effectively, with Rob Herring assisting Tom McAllister for Ulster's first try on the 20-minute mark. After Gesi's dismissal, Ulster took control, scoring three more tries through Herring, Zac Ward, and Werner Kok, ultimately securing a bonus-point win. Despite being a man down, Zebre fought back and added a second try through Jacopo Trulla in the 74th minute, but it wasn't enough to change the outcome. Ulster now looks ahead to their European Challenge Cup match against Ospreys next week, aiming to build on this victory in their pursuit of success in both competitions. Match Summary: Final Score: Ulster 28 - 12 Zebre Tries: McAllister, Herring, Ward, Kok (Ulster); Canali, Trulla (Zebre) Key Players: Tom McAllister, Rob Herring, Zac Ward, Werner Kok
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-03-28