The 23-year-old tight-head replaces Bath’s Archie Griffin who is sidelined with a knee injury inflicted against England in round two of the competition.
The Northallerton born forward had previously been part of Bath’s Academy and graduated through the Welsh Exiles programme before signing with the Scarlets.
Welsh qualified through his father, who hails from Bonymaen, O’Connor made his Scarlets debut against the Ospreys in 2022 and had been a regular part of both the Wales under-18 and under-20 set up.
O’Connor is the latest prop to be called into the squad after Leon Brown dropped out of the squad after going off against Scotland in Wales’ opening clash, whilst French based duo Thomas Francis and Henry Thomas continue to be unavailable for selection.
Having made his debut in the November uncapped test against the Barbarians, O’Connor will hope to earn his first cap against the Irish at the Aviva Stadium.
Whilst it is likely that Cardiff’s Keiron Assiratti will earn the start in Gatland’s XV, O’Connor will be hopeful of gaining minutes in the clash.
O’Connor will today join up with fellow Scarlets Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias. Kieran Hardy, Gareth Davies, Ioan Lloyd, Joe Roberts and Sam Costelow at Wales’ training base at the Vale of Glamorgan.
The Wales 23 for the game against Ireland is likely to be named by Gatland at lunchtime tomorrow.
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
