Zebre win in Belfast for first time in their history
Giovanni Montemauri kicked Zebre into 3-0 lead in 28th minute
Bautista Stavile Bravin returned from yellow card to score game's first try
Giacomo da Re crossed for Zebre's second soon after
Corrie Barrett reduced deficit with pair of tries from the bench but Ulster penalised to end game
Live Reporting
Postpublished at 17:45 Greenwich Mean Time 26 January
17:45 GMT 26 January
Ulster 0-0 Zebre
Zebre with a lineout which they throw to the back.
They launch an attack out wide but Ulster turn the ball over and Jude Postlethwaite and Ben Carson with strong carries to put their side on the front foot.
Farrell 'intrigued' to watch Six Nations from sidelinespublished at 17:24 Greenwich Mean Time 26 January
17:24 GMT 26 January
We're talking URC today, of course, but the Six Nations is just around the corner and British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell says it will be a "bit different" watching the championship unfold this year instead of leading the Ireland team.
The 49-year-old Englishman has guided Ireland to back-to-back Six Nations titles but is taking a sabbatical from the role to coach the Lions in this summer's tour to Australia.
"I'll be intrigued to watch from the sidelines - it will be a bit different for me, watching the Six Nations from the sidelines," Farrell told RTE.
"Not just that, [there's] the big games in Europe, the URC and Premiership etc. Good luck to everyone"
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Andy Farrell was appointed coach of the British and Irish Lions a year ago
Postlethwaite enjoying 'surreal' Ulster experiencepublished at 17:23 Greenwich Mean Time 26 January
17:23 GMT 26 January
Ulster v Zebre Parma (17:30 GMT)
Ulster centre Jude Postlethwaite has been enjoying plenty of time on the pitch this season with usual centres James Hume and Stuart McCloskey both having been injured.
It's all a far cry from missing out on the side's academy when leaving RBAI in 2020, an omission he says "drove me a lot".
"Seeing Carsy and Doaky and all my good mates getting into the Academy drove me to where I want to be," he told BBC Sport NI.
Team newspublished at 17:14 Greenwich Mean Time 26 January
17:14 GMT 26 January
Ulster v Zebre Parma (17:30 GMT)
It's not only John Cooney who has a significant milestone in the offing with Lorcan McLoughlin selected for his first senior start.
The 22-year-old is named at blind-side flanker, joining Nick Timoney and David McCann in the back row.
Former Ireland Under-20 international McLoughlin made his debut for the Irish province as a replacement against the Lions last season - his only senior appearance before tonight.
The Ulster starting team shows six changes in personnel from that big 52-24 win over Exeter here last Friday.
Ulster: SMoore; M Lowry, B Carson, J Postlethwaite, Z Ward; J Murphy, J Cooney; E O'Sullivan, T Stewart, S Wilson; K Treadwell, H Sheridan; L McLoughlin, N Timoney (capt), D McCann.
Replacements: C Reid, J Andrew, C Barrett, A O'Connor, Matty Rea, N Doak, J Flannery, R Lyttle.
150 up for Cooneypublished at 17:09 Greenwich Mean Time 26 January
17:09 GMT 26 January
Ulster v Zebre (17:30 GMT)
It's a red letter day for one of the Ulster fans' favourites this evening as John Cooney makes his 150th appearance for the province.
The former Leinster and Connacht scrum-half has been a star in Belfast since coming to north to fill the sizeable shoes of Ruan Pienaar in 2017.
Rumours continue to swirl that he's in his final months in the white jersey but the 34-year-old is sure to get a huge reception from the Ulster faithful when the teams emerge in 20 minutes or so.
It's wet rainpublished at 17:04 Greenwich Mean Time 26 January
17:04 GMT 26 January
Ulster v Zebre Parma (17:30 GMT)
Andy Gray BBC Sport NI at Kingspan Stadium
Image source, BBC Sport
It's a day for ducks, as we would say in Belfast.
Despite many umbrellas going inside out and puddles you almost need to row across, there were still plenty of smiles on the walk to the ground this evening.
In saying that, the terraces that would usually be filled to the brim from pitchside are tentatively being occupied from the back rows to take shelter from the rain.
It's not even blowing in one way, it's swirling about to ensure that everyone gets a good soaking.
Actually, on second thoughts, I think the ducks are even staying inside.
Sunday night rugby in storepublished at 17:00 Greenwich Mean Time 26 January
17:00 GMT 26 January
Ulster v Zebre (17:30 GMT)
Ulster don't play many Sunday evening home games but Zebre are in town to conclude the United Rugby Championship weekend at a wet and windy Kingspan Stadium.
The northern province finally have a bit of momentum thanks to two wins from their past three games and can look forward - if that's the right phrase - to a Champions Cup last-16 trip to Bordeaux-Begles thanks to last weekend's big win against Exeter.
It's back to league action today, though, with Richie Murphy's men seeking a win that would propel them back into the URC play-off spots before the break for the opening rounds of the Six Nations.
We'll have live coverage on the iPlayer, as well as this page, from 17:15 GMT and live-text coverage throughout...great to have you with us!