Luke McGrath explains how the squad put in some extra days last season following painful defeats to La Rochelle and the Bulls.

The province crossed for five tries at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.

Head coach Johann van Graan has made 11 changes to the team that beat Wasps on Sunday.

Cullen also provided an update on out-half Harry Byrne, who was removed with a hip injury,

The wing scored two tries on his first apperance for the province since December 2019.

A number of players will make their first apperance of the season at the RDS today.

Dan McFarland’s side pulled away in the second half in Italy.

Gavin Coombes capped a dominant performance with four tries.

The 32-year-old has most recently been on the books at Zebre.

The 21-year-old has been included in the starting XV to play Zebre.

Meanwhile, Seán O’Brien and Tim Corkery are in line to make their debuts from the substitutes’ bench.

The former Connacht coach has been at the helm of Zebre since July 2017.

Fullback forced off after just 17 minutes at Kingspan Stadium.

The Cork native had spent the second half of the season on loan at Ulster.

It wasn’t pretty but Andy Friend’s side got the job done in Italy.

The province have lost on their last two visits to Parma, and can ill-afford to slip-up against Zebre today.

In the end, they got the bonus point and go into the Champions Cup quarter-final against Edinburgh on the back of another victory.

Panico was arrested for “possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking” according to reports in the Italian media last week.

Neil Walsh recalls the unlikely series of events that led to an incredible opportunity.

The eastern province cruised to victory over Zebre this afternoon.

Leo Cullen’s side didn’t make it easy for themselves but had too much for the Italians.

Opportunity knocks for some of Leinster’s fringe players this afternoon, but Leo Cullen demands the same standards as last week.

The eastern province host Zebre tomorrow in the first of two games against Italian opposition before their Champions Cup semi-final.

O’Brien has been out of action since September.

Arnold, Scott, Copeland and Scannell earn Munster their bonus point.

Youngster Will Connors has been handed a chance to impress at openside flanker.

Niall Scannell knows from this time last year that it might only take an injury or two for him to be propelled into Six Nations duty.

The versatile back returns to professional rugby after a stint in New Zealand.

To compound matters, Kieran Keane’s side couldn’t even manage a losing bonus point in Parma.

Kieran Keane’s side are looking to get back to winning ways this weekend.

Andrew Trimble will today become Ulster’s joint-top appearance maker at the end of a week in which he lent his voice to the ‘Tackle Your Feelings’ campaign. He opens up to The42 about his own mental wellbeing and dealing with the frustrations associated with injury.

Andrew Trimble set to equal Roger Wilson’s appearances record.

A converted Josh Rowland try in the 78th minute gave the visitors hope, but it proved too little too late.

It was a game in which the outcome was rarely in doubt with the Irish side taking a 24-7 half-time lead.

Les Kiss’s side can move into the top four with a win on Saturday evening.

Pat Lam has named his side for the Guinness Pro12 clash with Zebre.

Meanwhile Tommy Bowe is in line to win his 150th cap.

The Italian club have conceded 20 tries in their last two games.