Prop, Eduardo Bello, sustained a hamstring injury in training and is a doubt for this week’s fixture.
Eli Snyman (concussion) was injured in Saturday’s URC Round 3 draw with Munster and will now follow World Rugby Return to Play Protocols.
Ben Donnell, Ethan McIlroy and Tom Stewart all picked up knocks in Saturday’s game and their fitness for selection will be assessed through training this week.
Michael Lowry has returned to full team training following his recent concussion injury.
In the preshow interviews Herring said he was a few weeks away ( I think)
Looks like this game is not been shown on Premier sport, epcr website says “epcrugby.tv / beIN SPORTS / FloRugby”
I think the only legal way to watch the game is via epcrugby and buy a one match pass at €7.99. Commentary is only in Italian
Use this game to get experience for the youngsters and match fitness for those returning from injury. Priority has to be the league.
Forgot to say Scot Wilson was playing for Armagh at the weekend, so he should be available for selection
Mark Sexton confirms that most of Ulster’s Ireland contingent will feature against Zebre Parma this weekend and will also be available to travel to South Africa for their URC double-header with Bulls and Stormers
Would be surprised if true, surely mins have to be managed? I don’t fancy getting much out of south Africa bar a 4 try bonus or 2
This Zebre game is both the most winnable, and least important of the next three. Maybe their thinking is that they need more ‘reps’ to try to establish a bit of form. Probably the international players will go to SA but only play one game each or something.
1. Tom O’Toole (143)
2. Henry Walker (3)
3. Keynan Knox (3)
4. Harry Sheridan (62)
5. Cormac Izuchukwu (57)
6. James McKilllop (3)
7. David McCann (C) (93)
8. Juarno Augustus (19)
9. Nathan Doak (112)
10. Jamie Benson (3)
11. Zac Ward (32)
12. Jake Flannery (43)
13. Daniel Hawkshaw
14. Robert Baloucoune (81)
15. Jacob Stockdale (150)
Replacements:
16. Tom Stewart (78)
17. Eric O’Sullivan (141)
18. Scott Wilson (57)
19. Joe Hopes (12)
20. Martin Moloney (1)
21. Matthew Devine (3)
22. Jack Murphy (38)
23. Michael Lowry (137)
So we get to see Benson at 10 🙂
Centre is a worry, but plenty of experience in the team, should be beating Zebra
I don’t think that side will win if Zebre field their usual starters.
This should only be to get experience for the youngsters/newcomers or get game fit. The priority has to be league in my view. I can’t see a run to the latter stages of this comp providing enough profit to offset the injury risk and potential impact on league position. but I’m no accountant.
I suspect the upcoming trip to SA will be like last year, where 4 of our lads had to fly back after Sharks to join the Ireland squad. It could actually be more than 4 this time around. So we would need to target the Bulls game and just hope for the best against Stormers. It’s probably the toughest SA trip that we could have, with these opponents and not being at full strength.
Not great highlights (27 mins) but at least it something:
Zebre Parma vs Ulster | Full Highlights | EPCR Challenge Cup 2026/27
I watched the full game (commentary in Italian!) on Flo Rugby here. Even allowing for the fairly weak opposition this was a pretty good performance. The attack was slick especially in the first half. Benson went well at 10 and I thought Henry Walker was very good on his first start. The centres didn’t really have big moments but the ball was moving well which must be some credit to the two lads. I just wish we could concede fewer penalties (and tries obviously)