Sam Parry becomes first Ospreys forward to score 50 tries in historic St Helen's return

Sam Parry became the first forward in Ospreys history to score 50 tries for the region, touching down during a 31-14 bonus-point victory over Dragons RFC at St Helen’s last Saturday — a night that also marked the club’s long-awaited return to the redeveloped Swansea seafront venue after a 20-year absence.

The Welsh international hooker joins an exclusive group of Ospreys players to reach the half-century: wing legend Shane Williams (57), full-back Dan Evans (52), scrum-half Rhys Webb (51), and current winger Keelan Giles (51). That Parry is the only forward among them underlines just how remarkable the achievement is for a player who has made 189 appearances for the region since his debut in 2014.

The occasion carried extra weight given the setting. St Helen’s has undergone a significant redevelopment over recent months, with work continuing around the clock to prepare the ground in time for the Dragons fixture. Parry, who serves as co-captain, was full of praise for those behind the scenes.

“It’s been brilliant,” he said. “It’s really impressive the work that’s gone on behind the scenes to make it happen. It’s been literally non-stop down there. It’s been all hands to the pump. It’s class and we want to say a big thank you to everyone involved.”

Storm Boelo swept in off the seafront on the night, but the conditions did little to dampen the mood inside a ground that Parry believes has been transformed as a matchday experience. “With the way the pitch has been moved, everything is a lot closer and on top of you. The atmosphere is top class. I can’t wait for more.”

Despite being so closely associated with the Ospreys, Parry grew up in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire — deep in Scarlets territory — and represented that region at age-grade level. He began his career as a back-row forward before switching to hooker as a teenager, a transition he credits largely to coach Euros Evans.

“I probably wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for him,” Parry said. “He coached me at Wales U16s and made a real effort to get me to Coleg Sir Gar and he also put the time and effort in with me converting to hooker. He brought me to Llandovery then while I was still in college.”

Strong performances for Llandovery earned Parry selection for Wales U20s, after which he was picked up by the Dragons. He made 54 appearances for the Gwent region across three seasons before making the move to the Ospreys, where he has since become one of the most enduring figures in the club’s history.