A new season for Ulster begins with a trip to Parma to take on Italian side Zebre Parma. The Ulstermen will hope to kick off where they left pre-season off, after finishing preparations with a 19-14 win against Glasgow Warriors, played at Kingspan Breffni Park in County Cavan.
The match showcased a blend of the squad, as both experienced and inexperienced players got important gametime in the physically tough encounter, against a Glasgow side who looked out to spoil the mood.
In what marks the first competitive match since the BKT URC Play-Off defeat to Connacht in May, the season opener has been long earmarked in the calendar after an extended summer pre-season due to the Rugby World Cup.
The longer pre-season gave the squad a fresh chance to re-set and work on individual skillsets as well as teamwork. The Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi offers the first chance for Dan McFarland's side to put their marker down for the rest of the season.
They face a Zebre side who will hope to put last season behind them, after finishing bottom of the league standings with no wins in their 18 fixtures.
The side also have a new look about them, as they have a new logo for the 2023/24 season, designed by Italian artist, Francesco Poroli, with the club adding it was inspired by American Sport logos.
The Italians had five players in the Italy 2023 Rugby World Cup squad, with Danilo Fischetti, David Sisi, Alessandro Fusco, Pierre Bruno and Lorenzo Pani all representing their country.
Match Details
📅 Saturday 21st October
⏰ 13.00 IRE & UK / 14.00 ITA & SA
🏟️ Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
📺 Viaplay and URC.tv
Last Time Out
Ulster won the last encounter between the two sides, at a sold out Kingspan Stadium. The 36-15 contest was an entertaining match, with Ulster notching up six tries in a bonus-point win. Hooker Tom Stewart was named the Player of the Match after his display, scoring two tries. Matty Rea, Callum Reid, Stewart Moore and John Andrew were also on the scoresheet for the home side, with Nathan Doak successfully converting three tries.
You can read the full match report from the night here.
Key Players
- 22 year- old winger, Simone Gesi, was the top try scorer for Zebre with 10 tries across the 2022/23 BKT URC campaign. Having been rewarded for his form with a call-up to the Italy Six Nations squad, Gesi will hope to kick on for his club this season.
- Matteo Nocera leads the way for the Italians with tackling, having made 107 hits across last season
- English fly-half, Tiff Eden, led the way for points with 72 points across last season.
- Jake Polledri - If he can put his wretched luck with injuries behind him and stay fit, the dynamic Azzurri back row could make a real impact following his arrival from Gloucester.
Did you know?
- Zebre Rugby have lost twenty-one BKT United Rugby Championship matches since beating Dragons RFC 23- 18 in Parma in April 2022.
- The Italians have not beaten an Irish province since their win over Connacht in Galway in February 2018.
- Zebre have only once before tasted victory in round one: against Southern Kings in 2018.
- Ulster Rugby finished off the BKT United Rugby Championship regular season campaign in 2022/23 with five straight victories until being knocked out of the tournament at home to Connacht in the quarter finals.
- Ulster have not lost their opening game of a new season since 2013.
- Zebre’s only previous victories over the Ulstermen both came in Parma in 2014 and 2017
Ready for our first home match of the season?
Ulster take on Vodacom Bulls at Kingspan Stadium in the first home match of the season on Sunday 29th October.
With halloween celebrations in full flow, make sure you grab your tickets and roar the Ulstermen on!