Ulster survived a major scare on the opening day of the new URC season as they recovered from a 10-point deficit to beat Zebre in Parma.
Both sides scored six tries in an entertaining end-to-end match which could have gone either way.
Jacob Stockdale and Tom Stewart both crossed twice for Ulster, Jake Flannery and Michael Lowry the other scorers.
Simone Gesi went over twice for Zebre, David Sisi, Giovanni Licati, Lorenzo Pani and Scott Gregory also crossing.
Zebre, who failed to register a win in their 18 games in the competition last season, led 26-21 at the break and extended that by five soon after, but in the end there was disappointment as they fell just short despite a spirited performance against an under-par Ulster side.
Ulster head coach Dan McFarland said: “It was up and down. They score, we score -and we got a little bit of control back in the second half and then let them back into it in the end, and had to battle.
“Fair play to Zebre. We know from watching their first home game over the last couple of seasons that it's always really tight.
“It was last year, so we expected that but we go away pleased with a lot of things and a couple of things that we need to work on”.
Forwards coach Kieran Treadwell added: “It was a tough game and we always expect that here.
“There's a very passionate crowd and Zebre like to play with the ball and play fast.
“It's first game of the season. Everyone pumped and excited to be back. It's a good building block and stepping stone for next couple of games”.
TEAMS
ZEBRE: Pani, Cambriani (Gregory 14), Paea, Lucchin, Gesi, Prisciantelli (Dominguez 78), Garcia (Fusco 55); Buonfiglio (Hasa 55), Bigi (c) (Ribaldi 54), Manuel Pitinari (Genovese 65), Sisi (Canali 68), Zambonin, Volpi, Ferrari, Licata (Bravin 62)
ULSTER: Addison, Lowry, Hume (Moore 3-11, 40), Curtis, Stockdale (McGrath 80), Flannery (Burns 55), Doak (Shanahan 76);
Warwick (Reid 49), Stewart (c) (Andrew 76), McGrath (French 50), Rea (Timoney 50), Treadwell, Ewers, Rea (Izuchukwu 50), McCann
REFEREE: Adam Jones ATTENDANCE: 3,122
Star man Jake Flannery-Ulster
