Sam Parry extends Ospreys stay

David Skippers

Ospreys Sam Parry during the European Champions Cup, pool two match at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday December 12, 2015. See PA story RUGBYU Ospreys. Photo credit should read: David Davies/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only, No commercial use without prior permission, please contact PA Images for further information: Tel: +44 (0) 115 8447447.

Ospreys have announced that experienced hooker Sam Parry has committed his future to the PRO14 outfit after agreeing terms on a new contract.

Parry signed his first contract with the Ospreys back in 2014 after joining from the Dragons. Since then he has become a mainstay at the region and is edging closer to playing his 100th game for the Ospreys where he currently sits on 96.

He made his Ospreys debut off the bench in the opening round of the 2014/15 season in a 44-13 win over Benetton at the Liberty Stadium.

During his six seasons at the club, Parry became the first ever Osprey forward to score a hat-trick back in September 2018. He added to his record at the start of the 2019/20 season, crossing the whitewash for another hat-trick against Benetton back in October, the only forward in PRO14 history to repeat that feat twice.

Parry has racked up 14 tries in total in an Ospreys jersey and is third in the PRO14 list for most turnovers won for the 19/20 season.

“I’m glad to have extended my time here at the Ospreys for another season.” said Parry.

“It’s been well-documented that this past season with the Ospreys has been a tough and frustrating year with results not going our way but with all the hard work that is being put in from the boys I’m excited to see where we can go as a group.”

The 28-year-old’s re-signing follows on from the appointment of Toby Booth, as the new head coach of the Ospreys and the re-signing of Ospreys captain and Wales and Lions flanker Justin Tipuric.

Parry is the latest player to sign a new contract at the region, following on from centre Owen Watkin, locks Bradley Davies and Adam Beard, wing Keelan Giles, fullback Cai Evans, props Tom Botha, Rhodri Jones and Ma’afu Fia and backrower Sam Cross.

They were joined by new signings scrum half Rhys Webb, fullback Mat Protheroe, prop Nicky Thomas and second row Rhys Davies.

Dan Griffiths, rugby general manager at the Ospreys, welcomed the news, saying: “The front-row is a critical part of the squad, and hooker is a position where we have good depth and competition building. Over the last few seasons, we have developed a group of players with a variety of strengths and abilities that can all bring something different to the team.

“Sam has displayed with the quality of his performances, particularly earlier in the season, what a great asset he can be to the squad. His ability at set piece is top draw and very highly regarded, whilst around the field his physicality on the ball and particularly at the breakdown are a real point of difference.

“To compliment his physical qualities, Sam is also a very good footballer who can link the play and make good decisions on the ball.

“I know Sam is determined to play his part in driving the Ospreys forward into next season and beyond.”

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