David Humphreys contributed 15 points as Ulster put under-strength Swansea to the sword 30-13 in their Celtic League opener at Ravenhill.

Missing eight front-line players, the reining Welsh champions conceded three tries and saw full-back Kevin Morgan stretchered off to cap a miserable night.

Brad Free, Paul Shields and James Topping supplied the home touchdowns, with Humphreys adding three conversions, two penalties and a dropped goal.

Topping's score was the pick of the night. It came after Morgan was dispossessed 10 metres inside his own half, Adam Larkin raced up field before sending in Ireland international Topping on a clear run to the line.

Swansea showed spirit during the final quarter, managing to prevent Ulster scoring again, but could not win enough ball to threaten themselves.

The Irish province had led 20-10 at the break and Swansea could have few complaints.

Feeling the absence of so many stars, they were starved of possession at the line-out and forced to back pedal at regular intervals as Ulster looked to attack.

The first try arrived after eight minutes when full-back Paul Wallace set up a good position with a sharp break that took him 30 metres up field and scrum-half Free ran through to score under the posts.

Humphreys converted and added a penalty to give his team a 10-0 advantage mid-way through the half.

Swansea hit back with a fine score down the right by centre Shaun Payne after a quickly-taken tapped penalty 40 metres out.

Humphreys and Gavin Henson then swapped goals before Swansea saw Morgan sin-binned for a technical offence.

Ulster made them pay as hooker Shields forced his way over from short range after some good line-out work from number eight Tony McWhirter.

Swansea lost Morgan with suspected ankle ligament damage and Henson also left the field injured, leaving their side stripped bare of experience