Guinness PRO12: Sam Parry hat-trick helps Ospreys beat Zebre

Sam Parry of Ospreys celebrates his side's fourth try.

Hooker Sam Parry scored a hat-trick as Ospreys kicked off their Guinness PRO12 campaign with a convincing 59-5 bonus-point victory over Zebre at the Liberty Stadium.

Parry was the star as Ospreys ran in eight tries while Sam Davies produced 19 points from the tee.

Ospreys' other tries came from Lloyd Ashley, Ashley Beck, Ben John (2) and Dafydd Howells. Zebre's only try came from hooker Tommaso D'Apice.

Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric recovered from concussion to make his first start in a competitive game since being injured in Wales' Six Nations win over Italy in March.

Despite Zebre including 10 Italy internationals in their line-up they were blown away in the first half with the home side leading 31-5 at the interval.

Zebre had little answer to the Welsh region's attacking intent that saw them score three tries in the opening 25 minutes.

After Davies kicked a fifth-minute penalty, forwards Parry and Ashley went over for tries in the space of seven minutes.

Parry crashed over from a lineout drive after a Dan Evans break through midfield had Zebre's defence in disarray, before Ashley made it into the right corner after linking well with Josh Matavesi.

Ospreys went a long way to sealing their opening win when Beck evaded two tackles to go in for the third try. Davies converted all three.

The Italians showed some character to get on the scoreboard with a try through a drive from a lineout after 35 minutes for D'Apice, although Edoardo Padovani missed with his conversion attempt.

Ospreys had the final say of the half when Parry went in for his second from another lineout drive to seal the bonus point with Davies adding his fourth conversion.

At the start of the second half, lock Federico Ruzza was denied a try for a double movement before Ospreys went up the other end for Parry to seal his hat-trick from another lineout drive. Davies added the conversion.

John ran a good angle angle for try number six converted again by Davies, and Zebre's disappointing night was complete when replacement Tommaso Boni was sent to the sin bin for repeated offences at the ruck.

And with the extra man, replacement Howells chased up Evans' kick ahead to claim the Ospreys seventh try to take them past 50 before John went in for his second a minute from time. Both tries were converted by Davies.