Ulster’s defence was worryingly porous in Parma while their scrum was under frequent strain
Ulster’s Will Addison competes for the ball in the air during the BKT United Rugby Championshi match against Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma. Photograph: Luca Sighinolfi/InphoUlster overcame an almighty opening day scare in the United Rugby Championship to just about flop over the line in Parma, with the result in the balance right until the final play.
Ulster’s early indiscipline was punished after just five minutes when Zebre’s driving maul resulted in David Sisi’s score, was which excellently converted by Geronimo Prisciantelli.Ian Foster insists he does not care who New Zealand face in World Cup finalNew Zealand pummel Pumas as Rugby World Cup semi-final turns into a no-contest
Prisciantelli again converted to put Zebre 14-7 ahead. The home team’s lead was short-lived and after a line bust from Kieran Treadwell, Michael Lowry stepped through to score with Doak’s extras tying things up again. Doak bisected the posts and the scoreline now stood at 21-21 and stayed that way when Prisciantelli was wide with a penalty shot on 31 minutes. Ulster were then reduced to 14 for 10 minutes when Treadwell was shown yellow.
The Italians then stretched their lead in the first minute of the second half when they carved Ulster’s vulnerable looking defence apart for Simone Gesi to find his way over, though again there was no conversion.
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