Canada’s Parry on Japan and his World Cup dreams

Ebbw Vale flanker Sion Parry starts for Canada against Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup clash today as he closes in on realising his World Cup dream.

Cardiff-born Parry, whose mother hails from Ontario was called by Canada for the first time in 2023 after their then-head coach Kingsley Jones saw a highlights video of the forward.  

The former Pontypridd back-row made his international Test debut in 2023 and is now an important member of new head coach Steve Meehan’s squad as they bid to return to the World Cup stage after failing to qualify for the first time in 2023.  

Parry with teammate Matthew Oworu (right)

Parry came off the bench in Canada’s impressive 34-20 win over arch-rivals USA a week ago and starts at blindside-flanker against last year’s Pacific Nations Cup runners-up Japan in Sendai.  

“That was really important for us, especially coming off last year where we lost to USA in the second, it was important for us to set our stall out and get going for the rest of the campaign,” the 26-year-old told RugbyJP.

“We’re expecting a high tempo game from Japan, they keep the ball in play and we have to match them,” said Parry who is a product of the famed Whitchurch High School whose former pupils includes ex-Wales captain Sam Warburton and football star Gareth Bale.

The top three best-placed teams after Fiji and Japan in the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Australia with Tonga, Samoa and USA joining Canada as hopefuls.  

Parry plays semi-pro club rugby in the top Wales-only competition, Super Rygbi Cymru, which features 10 sides but is edging towards appearing on the sport’s greatest stage in 2027.

“It is a little bit crazy, two years ago it wasn’t something I was thinking about, now that I’m here I just want to enjoy it.”

Parry is embracing his journey with a resurgent Canada and is determined to help his country to grace the 11th edition of rugby’s showpiece competition.

“It would be everything to play in the World Cup; it’s the stuff you dream of as a little boy growing up and playing in your garden. It’s what we have our sights set on, not just me but as a team.”