Scarlets keep hold of another Wales international

Scarlets have continued their retention drive ahead of next season by securing Wales tighthead Harri O’Connor on a new contract.

The 25-year-old has become a regular member of the Scarlets front-row since making his senior debut in 2020, racking up 56 appearances after progressing through the club’s academy.

O’Connor has also broken into the Wales set-up, earning five Test caps since making his debut against Italy during the 2024 Six Nations.

The prop is part of a growing group of homegrown talent at Parc y Scarlets, with younger brother Sam also now a member of the senior squad after the pair came through the pathway together. He is latest player to commit his future to the Llanelli-based region, following No.8 Fletcher Anderson, captain Josh Macleod, scrum-half Gareth Davies, full-back Jac Davies, flanker Dan Davis and lock Sam Lousi in signing new contracts.

Interim director of rugby Nigel Davies believes O’Connor is entering a key stage of his development and sees the Wales international as an important part of the club’s plans going forward.

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“I’m delighted to have signed a new contract with Scarlets. This club has played a huge part in my development and I genuinely believe there is an exciting future ahead,” O’Connor said.

“The competition within the squad is strong and that’s exactly what you want as a player because it drives standards and pushes everyone to improve.

“We’ve got a playing group that cares deeply about this club and its success and the supporters who back us. We know we can be better and there is a real determination throughout the squad to keep improving and move things forward.”

Davies added: “At 25, Harri is still very much a young man in terms of front-row forwards. He already has Test match experience for Wales and played more than a half century of games for the Scarlets in the URC and Europe.

“One of the things that has impressed me most since arriving at the club has been his attitude towards improvement. Harri sat down with the coaches, took on board the feedback he was given and has worked exceptionally hard on the areas of his game that we felt could take him to another level.

“As coaches, that’s exactly what you want to see. Players who are prepared to be honest with themselves, embrace challenge and commit fully to their own development.

“He is a proud Scarlets player, a Wales international and someone who genuinely wants to improve every day. Those qualities are incredibly valuable.

“We are working hard to build a squad with strong competition, a strong Welsh core and players who are committed to driving standards every day.

“Harri fits that profile perfectly. He understands what it means to represent this club, he has already achieved a great deal in his career and we believe his best years are still ahead of him.

“The front five is an area we are strengthening and re-signing Harri is part of that plan moving forward. We are developing a strong pool of young Welsh front-rowers at the club and I am sure Harri will want to push on to play a key role for the Scarlets in the coming seasons.”