The opening try has sparked Ulster to life, they are now pushing forward and aiming to respond quickly.

Bautista Stavile and Mirko Belloni charge forward for Zebre and Ulster give away their fourth penalty in the opening 10 minutes.

A lovely lineout from Ulster there as they aim to push forward themselves.

This one doesn't create a chance to push into the Zebre 22, but I am sure Ulster fans are hoping for many more of them tonight.

It has not been the opening five minutes that Richie Murphy would have wanted.

His side have spent the early minutes defending.

They do now have a slight break in play while Leonard Krumov receives treatment.

Tommaso Di Bartolomeo tries to open the scoring from a lineout, but can't quite get over the line and Ulster are able to clear.

Zebre drive forward and are awarded an early penalty.

The home side have started this one with intent.

Here we go!

Can Ulster return to winning ways tonight?

Give this post a thumbs up if you think so and react the other way if you think that bottom of the table Zebre will be the victors this evening.

Rob Herring is expecting a "physical battle" when Ulster face Zebre this evening.

With five rounds to go before the play-offs Ulster sit third in the URC standings despite last week's defeat to Connacht. Zebre are rooted to the foot of the table but Herring is taking nothing for granted ahead of the visit to the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

"You have to get over those losses pretty quickly as we have a tough game away from home this week," the 35-year-old told BBC Sport NI.

"We probably got a bit lucky on the table with other teams doing us favours, so to come out of it in third is great, but we have a tough run-in starting with this one.

"Their set-piece attack is good and they are a very physical team in defence.

"At home they seem to lift it up another level so it is going to be a physical battle and we have to get that right, especially away from home where we have to bring our own energy."

The Ulster hooker feels the province can reap the benefit of having so many players involved in the Ireland set-up.

"In my time here, I don't think we've ever had seven guys in a Six Nations team and I thought all of the Ulster boys played well throughout the tournament," he reflected.

"I think that's coming from the environment we have here and confidence they brought into [Ireland] camp.

"It's probably a new problem for Ulster to have so many, but then it gives young guys the opportunity to step up and show what they've got.

"If you want to be a team competing at the end of the season, that's what you need."

Image source, Inpho

Ireland internationals Stuart McCloskey and Nick Timoney return for Ulster with James Humphreys making his first start.

James Hume also returns with Timoney back in at openside flanker as Richie Murphy makes 10 changes to the side that lost to Connacht last week.

McCloskey and Timoney were given last week off following their exploits on the international stage while Hume was absent for Ulster's first home defeat of the season with concussion.

With first-choice fly-half Jack Murphy out with a rib injury and Jake Flannery also unavailable, Murphy has turned to Humphreys who has made one appearance for Ulster this season.

There is also a full-back alteration as Ethan McIlroy replaces Mike Lowry.

Werner Kok and Zac Ward start on the wings as the only backs to keep their place in the side from that 26-19 loss.

Experienced prop Eric O'Sullivan comes into the front row with academy product Tom McAllister making his second start for the province either side of Rob Herring in an all-changed front three as Australia international Angus Bell is named on a strong Ulster bench.

Iain Henderson captains the side from the second row and is partnered by Joe Hopes.

David McCann retains his place at blindside flanker, with Timoney replacing Marcus Rea at openside.

Zebre: Belloni, Bertaccini, Zanon, Gesi; Da Re, Fusco; Odiase, Stavile, Ortombina; Krumov, Canali; Pieretto, Di Bartolomeo, Hasa.

Replacements: Quattrini, Pitinari, Neculai, Ferrari, Licata, Dominguez, Farias, Morisi.

Ulster: McIlroy; Kok, Hume, McCloskey, Z Ward; Humphreys, McKee; O'Sullivan, Herring, McAllister; Henderson, Hopes; McCann, B Ward, Timoney.

Replacements: McCormick, Bell, Wilson, Dalton, Augustus, Doak, Carson, Moxham.

Ulster head coach Richie Murphy was left disappointed with his side's defending in the 26-19 defeat by Connacht last Friday.

After going in level at the break the hosts were outgunned by the visitors in the second half falling to their first home defeat of the season.

"Connacht played some really nice rugby in the back of the second half when they got some speed into the game," Murphy said after the game.

"We are bitterly disappointed. Defending at the Affidea was something we were really proud of and something that we need to go back to the drawing board with."

A late surge from the home side saw them claim a losing bonus point which kept them in third place in the URC standings.

Despite missing key players including Stuart McCloskey, Rob Baloucoune, Cormac Izuchukwu and James Hume, Murphy was frustrated that his injury-impacted side couldn't make their chances count.

"We created a few chances that we didn't capitalise on which is disappointing," he continued. "We weren't clinical enough. Sometimes, these things happen.

"Some bounces of the ball didn't really go our way but at least we got ourselves a point and we will be ready for Zebre."

Image source, Inpho

Ulster backs coach Mark Sexton says he is "proud" of the province's Ireland representatives who played their part in the recent Triple Crown success.

Having had just four representatives in the 2025 Six Nations squad seven Ulster players featured in the victory over Wales such has been the upturn in the province's fortunes this season.

Stuart McCloskey - shortlisted for player of the championship - and Rob Baloucoune have played starring roles for Andy Farrell's side giving everyone at the Affidea Stadium an added boost.

"We've got 'Stu' [McCloskey] in the team of the championship and 'the Cat' [Baloucoune] the breakthrough player of the year at 28 which is pretty incredible," Sexton told BBC Sport NI.

"Nick [Timoney] has done such a good job, 'Doaky' [Nathan Doak] getting his first cap, Tom [Stewart] and Tom O'Toole doing such a good job and Jacob [Stockdale] doing so well when he got an opportunity, so we're just so proud of them all."

Read more here.

Image source, Inpho

Ciao!

Ulster will be aiming to get back to winning ways when they face Zebre in the United Rugby Championship this evening.

Richie Murphy's side slipped to a 26-19 defeat at the hands of Connacht last time out.

Boosted by the return of Ireland duo Stuart McCloskey and Nick Timoney, Ulster will see this as the perfect opportunity to bounce back against the side currently propping up the table.

The Italian outfit have lost each of their last four games including a 36-17 defeat to Scarlets last Friday.

We will have live text commentary for you to enjoy and will bring you the team news from Parma shortly.

Thanks for joining us. Enjoy the game!