Sam O'Connor (rugby union)

Sam O'Connor

Date of birth	(2001-12-11) 11 December 2001 (age 23)
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	124 kg (19.5 st; 273 lb)
School	Llandovery College
Notable relative(s)	Harri O'Connor (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Loosehead prop Current team Scarlets Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2021– Llanelli 30 (0) 2022– Scarlets 2 (0) 2023 Carmarthen Quins 1 (0) Correct as of 9 April 2023 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2019 Wales U18 Correct as of 8 April 2023

Sam O'Connor (born 11 December 2001) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays as a loosehead prop for the Scarlets. ^[1]

Professional career

O'Connor was part of the Bath academy, before joining the Welsh Exile programme. He moved to Wales to study at Llandovery College, while also signing a Scarlets academy contract. ^[2]

In May 2022, O'Connor traveled to New Zealand to play for Linwood RFC in the northern off-season, along with fellow academy player Eddie James. ^[3]

On 24 September 2022, O'Connor made his competitive debut for the Scarlets against Ulster, coming off the bench in the final minute to play alongside his brother Harri. ^[4]

O'Connor started for the Scarlets in a friendly against Saracens on 10 March 2023. ^[5]

While part of the Scarlets academy, O'Connor has also played for affiliated sides Llanelli RFC and Carmarthen Quins. ^{[6] [7]}

O'Connor has represented Wales U18. ^[8]

O’Connor scored his first try for the Scarlets on 13 September 2024, as a replacement in a pre-season friendly against Saracens. ^[9]

On 19 June 2025, O’Connor signed his first senior Scarlets contract, joining the first team for the 2025–26 United Rugby Championship.

References

1. "Sam O'Connor". Scarlets. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
2. Orders, Mark (26 June 2019). "The 16-year-old plucked from England and given a 5-year Welsh rugby deal". WalesOnline. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
3. "Sam heads to New Zealand – LLANELLI RFC". 22 May 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
4. "Ulster come out on top in try bonanza". Scarlets. 24 September 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
5. Hemingray, James (9 March 2023). "Rising stars set for debuts in friendly against Saracens". Herald.Wales. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
6. "Sam O'Connor". Llanelli RFC. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
7. "Sam O'Connor". Carmarthen Quins. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
8. "Davies scores but Wales U18s defeated". Dragons RFC. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
9. "Scarlets beaten in final warm-up against Saracens". Scarlets Rugby. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.