Ulster's defence rush up too quickly and Zebre now have a shot at the posts as Curtis is ruled to be offside.

Prisciantelli goes wide but Ulster will need to keep an eye on their discipline with a number of penalties putting them on the back foot.

The try-fest continues as Ulster use their territory to launch an attack off a line-out maul, with Jacob Stockdale applying a good finish on the left wing.

Nathan Doak adds the extras to level the sides in what has been a breathless start to the game.

Ulster work their way up the pitch, but the ball is pilfered and they lose their field position.

In contrast, Zebre have been clinical when they enter the Ulster 22 and have caused Ulster massive difficulty with their powerful maul proving to be an effective platform.

It's raining tries in Parma!

Lorenzo Pani powers his way over for the home side's third try with the Ulster defence once again found wanting.

Prisciantelli maintain his 100% record from the tee to go seven points ahead with 23 minutes gone.

Both sides struggling to gain the ascendency after a frenetic start.

Zebre have now won their third maul penalty from the Ulster pack and look to have the momentum as they enter the Ulster 22 once again...

Zebre are stretching the Ulster defence and Ben Cambriani makes a break...

Ulster looked rattled after a strong start for Zebre but they are going through the phases and working their way towards the line with patient build-up.

Zebre win their lineout and surge forward with a strong maul and Ulster collapse.

Zebre win the penalty and work their way into the Ulster 22.

Another penalty give them the chance to go for the corner.

Referee Adam Jones blows the whistle and we're off at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

Zebre gather and clear their lines and Ulster have a lineout on the halfway line.

Both sides are on the pitch at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi and the slightly overcast conditions look ideal for rugby.

After a longer pre-season, 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 in Cavan.

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.

The Italians have not beaten an Irish province since their win over Connacht in Galway in February 2018.

Zebre have lost 21 United Rugby Championship matches since beating Dragons RFC 23- 18 in Parma in April 2022.

Will Addison will make his competitive Ulster return after almost two years out injured in Saturday's United Rugby Championship opener away to Zebre.

Addison will play at full-back in Parma after recovering from a broken leg to come through pre-season matches.

New signing Dave Ewers will make his debut at flanker but wing Robert Baloucoune is not named in the squad.

Hooker Tom Stewart will captain a side missing Ireland's World Cup players as well as several who are out injured.

Zebre: Pani; Cambriani; Paea; Lucchin; Gesi; Prisciantelli; Garcia; Licata; Ferrari; Volpi, Zambonin; Sisi; Pitinari; Bigi; Buonfiglio

Replacements: Ribaldi; Hasa; Genovese; Canali; Stavile; Fusco; Eden; Gregory.

Ulster: Addison; Lowry, Hume, Curtis, Stockdale; Flannery, Doak; Warwick, Stewart, McGrath; Matty Rea, Treadwell; Ewers, Marcus Rea, McCann.

Replacements: Andrew, Reid, French, Izuchukwu, Timoney, Shanahan, Burns, Moore..

Image source, BBC Sport

Ulster chief executive Jonny Petrie says December's controversial Champions Cup tie with La Rochelle had a "huge impact" as the province posted losses of more than £900,000 in 2022-23.

The game was moved last-minute to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin after a frozen pitch at Kingspan Stadium.

At the time, Petrie added the move was likely to cost the province "around £700,000".

The losses for 2022-2023 were recorded in Ulster's annual report., external

In the report, Petrie added the controversy surrounding the game with La Rochelle was "an incredibly unfortunate situation that had a huge impact on our finances".

Read more about this story here.

Image source, Inpho

Ulster hooker Tom Stewart says the disappointment of last season's heartbreaking URC quarter-final defeat by Connacht will spur him on to greater efforts in the forthcoming campaign.

"It's been put to bed, but for me I always need to carry a bit of hurt in my head about how we went out last season. Hopefully it will spur me and the rest of the boys on," said Stewart.

"But we have new goals, new targets, and new ways of achieving those so that's what we'll be kicking on to do this season."

Read more of what Tom Stewart had to say about his hopes for the new URC season here.

Image source, Inpho

It's been five and a half long months since Ulster have had the opportunity to move on from the memory of their heartbreaking URC quarter-final defeat by Connacht in early May but today is eventually the day when Dan McFarland's men return to competitive action.

A longer than usual pre-season because of the Rugby World Cup has afforded the Irish province the opportunity to further hone their skills and bond as a squad, so hopes will be high that that will reap dividends on the pitch at the start of a new campaign.

First up this afternoon is a trip to Parma to face Italian side Zebre, who failed to register a win throughout their campaign in this competition last term.

With their World Cup contingent having a well-earned rest, McFarland and his charges will be taking nothing for granted however and will know that full focus and effort will be required to get their season off to a winning start.

Stay with us for live audio coverage of the match, plus text updates of all the action as it unfolds. We have you covered.