Jacob Stockdale scored a try on his Ulster return as they defeated Exeter Chiefs, while Leinster won away to Harlequins and Munster lost to London Irish.
Ireland wing Stockdale, making his first appearance in almost 12 months following ankle surgery, scored in the final play of a 31-12 pre-season win at Kingspan Stadium.
A dominant first half from Ulster laid the platform as Ian Madigan and Rob Lyttle crossed in the opening 12 minutes.
𝙁𝙐𝙇𝙇-𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) September 2, 2022
It's a WIN for the Ulster men🔥
Thanks to everyone supporting us here at Kingspan Stadium and at home 🏡
31-12#ULSvEXE | #SUFTUM ⚪️🔴 pic.twitter.com/2OPQd3e6Tv
Out-half Jake Flannery was the creator for both tries, his short pass putting inside centre Madigan through before a crossfield kick found an unmarked Lyttle on the right wing.
Ulster went in 19-0 ahead at half-time when John Andrew touched down off a driving maul following Richard Capstick's sin-binning.
The hosts extended their lead on 53 minutes with Exeter again down to 14. With Chiefs out-half Harvey Skinner yellow-carded for failing to roll away from a ruck, Flannery and Angus Curtis combined to tee up Marshall.
Exeter rallied with two tries in eight minutes, Patrick Schickerling and Max Norrie both burrowing over from close range, but Ulster had the final say as Stockdale crossed in the corner to seal an encouraging victory.
Leinster came from behind to claim a 26-21 win over Harlequins at the Stoop, Scott Penny grabbing the winning try with 12 minutes remaining.
The sides were deadlocked at 14-14 at the interval, tries from Leinster pair John McKee and Mikey Milne sandwiching scores Lewis Gjaltema and Cadan Murley.
Leinster went back in front on 52 minutes when Max Deegan’s break was finished by Nick McCarthy, but Quins responded three minutes later through Nick David, who dotted down in the corner to put them 21-19 up.
Penny had the final say, the flanker bursting his way over the line to clinch victory.
Munster fell to their second defeat in eight days as they were beaten 19-14 by London Irish at Musgrave Park.
Declan Kidney’s Exiles led 12-0 at half-time courtesy of tries from James Stokes, converted by Paddy Jackson, and Matt Williams.
Mike Hayley scored for Munster on 47 minutes following good work from Malakai Fekitoa and Paddy Patterson, but Irish hit back through England wing Harry Arundel to make it 19-7.
Patterson dived over to make it a one-score game with seven minutes remaining but Irish withstood some late Munster pressure as they held on for the win.
