Well - that was some start to the URC season!

Dan McFarland's side were behind until the final quarter of the game but leave Parma somewhat relived with five points.

They managed to hang on at the end with a fired-up Zebre going close to getting their first victory over an Irish province since their win over Connacht in Galway in February 2018.

Try-scoring machine Tom Stewart opened his account for the season with two tries - as did wing Jacob Stockdale in what was a hugely entertaining start to the season.

You can read our match report here

As McFarland said, plenty to be happy with and a couple of things to work on.

We'll be back next week to see how they get on as South African side Bulls come to Belfast on Sunday, which you can watch live on BBC Two NI, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website from 16:40 GMT

Ulster head coach Dan McFarland:

"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".

Ulster forward Kieran Treadwell:

"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".

Zebre cough up the ball in the last play of the game after a tap penalty on Ulster's five metre line.

Ulster are relieved to kick the ball out and escape with a narrow victory.

The men in white breathe a sigh of relief as they leave with the hard-fought win.

Another scrum penalty and James French is shown the yellow card as the game goes into time added on.

Zebre will take a tap penalty.

Can they convert?

Zebre have another scrum on Ulster's five metre line and are given another penalty.

That's now three penalties given away in a row from Ulster.

Zebre choose another scrum...

Zebre have a scrum on the Ulster 5-metre line and the atmosphere in the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi is rocking as Zebre now pummelling the Ulster try-line.

Billy Burns comes on for Jake Flannery at out-half.

Dan McFarland calls for reinforcements, bringing on Callum Reid, James French, Cormac Izuchukwu and Nick Timoney.

Andy Warwick, Greg McGrath, Matty Rea and Marcus Rea leave the field.

It has been all Zebre in the second-half so far and they once again find themselves in the Ulster 22.

Ulster given a temporary reprieve, escaping with a penalty to clear their lines.

We're back for the second-half and Zebre look once again like they have the momentum.

The sides go in at half-time after a frenetic half of rugby and Zebre will definitely be the happier of the two sides.

Some questionable defence and first-game rust from Ulster, as Zebre help themselves to four first-half tries.

Ulster still in this one with three tries but will need to improve their discipline.

As the game approaches half-time, the Ulster infringement count mounts up.

The Ulster scrum is now struggling, as Zebre take it against the head and launch an attack...

Kieran Treadwell is called for a maul infringement and is shown a yellow card.

Ulster under pressure now and struggling with their discipline.