The 1999 European Champions ran out 30-6 victors in Pool 4, although the performance was less convincing than the scoreline suggests.

Ulster led just 11-6 at the break but three second-half scores effectively secured maximum points with 12 minutes remaining.

Andrew Trimble crossed for the only try of the first period, with Ian Humphreys, Simon Danielli and Ruan Pienaar touching down on 45, 61 and 68 minutes respectively.

Brian McLaughlin’s men never looked seriously troubled by the Heineken Cup debutants but they butchered a number of opportunities to put the game to bed far earlier than they actually did.

Ulster began brightly, attacking from deep direct from the kick off. Pienaar’s mini break from a poorly defended ruck brought a penalty for the hosts and the Springbok star made it 3-0 from straight in front of the uprights.

Aironi hit back four minutes later through a well-taken penalty from veteran fly-half Ludovic Mercier but the Frenchman missed the chance to put his side ahead when he sent a 12th-minute effort wide of the posts from long distance.

Piennar then struck the post with a penalty attempt of his own before Mercier did edge Aironi in front with a second successful penalty after 17 minutes.

The lead lasted just four minutes, however, as a superb combination of strength and guile saw Trimble race over for the first try of the match.

The forwards provided the platform as they produced a gigantic scrum to push Aironi off their own ball deep in the 22, before Pienaar matched that contribution with a stunning sleight of hand when he appeared to have received man and ball.

Aironi lock Marco Bortolami saw yellow a minute before the half-hour for obstruction but Ulster failed to add to their tally in his absence, wasting three good chances while the Italians were down to 14 men.

Ironically, Ulster did eventually increase their lead to 11-6 just as Bortolami returned to the action on the stroke of half-time.

The home side then crossed for their second try just five minutes after the break thanks to an opportunistic charge down from Humphreys.

Having failed with his first conversion, Pienaar was again off target with the extras but Ulster at last had some breathing space and a 10 point-lead.

Danielli then put the result beyond doubt just past the hour-mark after fine work from the forwards on the right allowed the Scotland international to power over on the left wing.

High-profile summer signing Pienaar showed his class to snipe over from close range seven minutes later as the Belfast crowd breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Humphreys converted both efforts having taken over the duties from his misfiring half-back partner, ensuring the margin of victory was some 17 points more than when the two sides met in the Magners League last month.

The performance might not have been what Ulster desired, but the outcome certainly was. Five points and top spot in the pool ahead of tomorrow’s clash between Bath and Biarritz Olympique is exactly what Ulster were looking for.