Walker scores twice as Ulster open Challenge Cup with 40-21 win at Zebre

Ulster began their European Challenge Cup campaign with a 40-21 victory over Zebre in Parma, scoring six tries in a bonus-point win. Henry Walker contributed two on his first competitive start for the province, according to BBC Sport's match report. Last season's runners-up led 19-0 at half-time before Zebre made the second half a closer contest.

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Walker, a recent academy graduate, opened his senior try account after Ulster had faced early pressure. The visitors held up a Zebre attack from a line-out, while Juarno Augustus was also denied a try at the other end. Nathan Doak subsequently had a finish disallowed for a knock-on, but Jacob Stockdale completed a team move in the corner to extend Ulster's advantage to 12 points.

Walker's second try arrived inside the opening half-hour, giving Richie Murphy's side three scores before the interval. Ulster kept Zebre scoreless through the rest of the half, but the hosts responded soon after the restart. Giovanni Licata scored from a scrum move and Giacomo da Re added the conversion after 43 minutes. David McCann answered four minutes later, scoring on his first appearance as Ulster captain and restoring a 19-point lead.

The visitors then had to negotiate a spell with 14 players. Replacement Jack Murphy was sent to the sin-bin with 15 minutes remaining, shortly after entering the match. Zebre quickly used the extra player to their advantage, with Alessandro Ortombina crossing a minute later. That score gave the home side a second try as they continued to challenge Ulster after the one-sided opening half.

Mike Lowry provided Ulster's next response, finishing on the left after a sustained passing move. Zebre full-back Giovanni Montemauri nevertheless added another home try, ensuring the visitors still had work to do. Martin Moloney, who had replaced McCann, then crossed within minutes. BBC Sport reported that his late contribution secured maximum points for Ulster at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

Doak supplied three conversions for Ulster, with Benson adding another two. The province now returns to United Rugby Championship action for three successive away fixtures, beginning with matches against the Bulls and Stormers in South Africa. Their Challenge Cup schedule resumes in December, following an opening European victory built on Walker's first-half double and the replacements' later scoring contributions.