Parramatta to hand promising centre Ethan Parry his NRL debut against Manly

Parramatta are so impressed by the progress of up and coming centre Ethan Parry they may inject the 19-year old into Sunday’s clash with their ancient rivals Manly.

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Parramatta fans are about to get a glimpse of the future with rising star Ethan Parry set to make his highly anticipated NRL debut.

The Daily Telegraph understands Parry could start on the wing against Manly at Lottoland on Sunday with NSW Origin star Blake Ferguson in doubt.

Ferguson has been battling a knee injury and needed to have fluid drained from it this week.

The Eels flyer has told club officials he is confident he will be fit to play on Sunday, but the Eels are reluctant to risk him in the lead-up to the finals.

Parry, 19, has been on the cusp of first grade for weeks as part of the extended Eels squad.

Coach Brad Arthur named the same 17 players who beat the Wests Tigers 30-18 last weekend.

With new signing Waqa Blake due to return from injury next week to potentially make his blue and gold debut against the New Zealand Warriors, Sunday shapes as Parry’s best chance to get a taste of first grade.

Parry has played for NSW U18s and U20s.

Parry has scored five tries in 15 appearances this season for Parramatta’s feeder club, Wentworthville, who have the bye this weekend.

Normally a centre, Parry could play there on Sunday, or be eased into first grade from the wing.

Under NRL rules, the Eels need to reduce their extended bench on Saturday, 24 hours before the game, giving a clearer indication on whether Parry will indeed line up against the Sea Eagles.

Parry, third from the right, played Australian Schoolboys with Dylan Brown and Oregon Kaufusi.

Parry, a Tamworth product who came through renowned rugby league nursery St Gregory’s at Campbelltown, scored a try in NSW’s 36-10 win over Queensland in the under-20s State of Origin match at ANZ Stadium last Wednesday.

He first came to prominence in the Eels’ Harold Matthews team in 2015. Two years later he scored a hat-trick as Parramatta won the SG Ball grand final.

His younger brother Cody, 15, is also on the Eels’ books and is considered a future first grader.

The former Australian schoolboy has scored five tries in 15 appearances this season for Wentworthville, where he has averaged more than 100 running metres a game.