Ebbw Vale captain Parry hunts World Cup with Canada
Ebbw Vale captain Parry hunts World Cup with Canada
Chris Kirwan - BBC Sport WalesFri, September 11, 2026 at 3:20 AM UTC
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Sion Parry made his Canada debut against Tonga in 2023
Sion Parry hopes it will be third time lucky for Ebbw Vale in Super Rygbi Cymru (SRC) this season, but first the Welsh carpenter aims to take another step towards nailing a World Cup spot.
The all-action flanker has been appointed as captain of the Steelmen for 2026-27, which gets under way this weekend.
However, Parry will not lead Ebbw out in the first two rounds of SRC against Swansea and Aberavon.
The 27-year-old will instead be on national duty with Canada and went up against Japan in a friendly last weekend to warm up for the Pacific Nations Cup.
This weekend it is Fiji in Osaka, then either the Brave Blossoms or USA in Tokyo.
Three Tests and potentially three more opportunities for Parry in his bid to make the cut in 2027.
"Hopefully I will make that World Cup squad, but it's a year away and that's a long time in rugby," said the flanker.
"There are plenty of internationals to play, so I'll just go game by game."
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Parry's father, Geraint, was an inside centre for Builth Wells, Wrexham and Chester who coached Sion at Rhiwbina in Cardiff.
His mother, Kate, was born in Ontario and that opened up the opportunity to represent the Canucks when then coach Kingsley Jones saw footage of the flanker playing for Pontypridd.
"It will be crazy to look back one day and think that I played international rugby," said Parry.
"It all happened so quickly and to make my debut all the way out in Tonga was special, and even more special because it was on my mother's birthday as well."
Canada are ranked 34th in the world and Parry has already faced stern challenges against nations from the top 10.
"We played Fiji last year and they were so physical and fast, while Scotland [in 2023] played with such pace and efficiency and that was mentally challenging," he admitted.
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If all goes to plan, Parry will go up against Argentina, Fiji and Spain in Australia next year, which would require some time off the tools.
The forward balances rugby with his job as a carpenter and works alongside younger brother Owen.
"I am like a full-time professional when I go away with Canada, then I come back and go to work, fitting the gym and training around that," he said.
"It can be difficult fitting the job around international rugby when you have to sometimes disappear, but it's worth it for however many years I get to do this.
"I'm lucky to work with my brother and he will tie up any loose ends on jobs while I am away."
Should Sion make the World Cup, expect Owen to be part of the Parry contingent in the stands in Australia.
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Sion Parry was man of the match in Ebbw Vale's SRC semi-final win against Newport
Unless Ebbw Vale boss Jason Strange believes a breather is needed, Parry could go from three weeks of Test rugby to facing Rygbi Gogledd Cymru in SRC.
From the heat and humidity of Tokyo to the chill of September at Eugene Cross Park.
Parry joined the Steelmen from Pontypridd in 2024 and has not only established himself as a key figure in the pack - voted as player of the year by supporters and team-mates last season - but one of the leading performers in the league.
The flanker has taken over from stalwart Joe Franchi as club captain this season as Ebbw attempt to go one better after grand final defeats by Newport in 2025 and Llandovery in 2026.
The Steelmen also lost to the Drovers in the 2025 SRC Cup final.
"It's been gutting to fall at the final hurdle three times but Jason has been trying to get across to the players that it is a process to build the team," said Parry.
"We have grown year on year and we have added again, so we are excited to see how we do. It's going to be another open SRC."
Ebbw host Swansea in the opening round of fixtures while champions Llandovery travel to Pontypool, who finished bottom last season.
Newport defend the SRC Shield in a home fixture against RGC, Aberavon take on Bridgend and Cardiff, who topped the table in the regular season in 2025-26, visit Carmarthen Quins.
Source: “AOL Sports”
