Harri O’Connor set for Test debut in Six Nations finale

Rob Lloyd News

Prop Harri O’Connor is poised to make his Test debut when Wales take on Italy in the final round of the Guinness Six Nations on Saturday (14:15; BBC & S4C).

HOC, as he is popularly known, came off the bench in the uncapped match against the Barbarians in November, but if he gets his chance against the Azzurri he will become the 254th Scarlet to play Test rugby.

O’Connor, 23, is one of five Scarlets named by Warren Gatland in the match-day 23

Sam Costelow again wears the No. 10 jersey, while O’Connor is joined by fellow front-rower Kemsley Mathias, Kieran Hardy and Ioan Lloyd among the replacements.

The match will be George North’s final appearance for Wales. Eighteen-year-old North made his Test debut while at the Scarlets in 2010.

Wales senior men’s team to play Italy at Principality Stadium, Cardiff in the 2024 Guinness Six Nations, Saturday 16 March KO 2.15pm GMT. Live on BBC and S4C.

Tîm Cymru i herio’r Eidal yn Stadiwm Principality ym Mhencampwriaeth Che Gwlad Guinness 2024. Sadwrn yr 16eg o Fawrth. 2.15 yn fyw ar S4C a’r BBC. 

15. Cameron Winnett (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 4 caps); 14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 58 caps), 13. George North (Ospreys / Gweilch – 120 caps), 12. Nick Tompkins (Saracens / Saraseniaid – 35 caps), 11. Rio Dyer (Dragons / Dreigiau – 18 caps); 10. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 11 caps), 9. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 57 caps); 1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys / Gweilch – 29 caps), 2. Elliot Dee (Dragons / Dreigiau – 50 caps), 3. Dillon Lewis (Harlequins – 56 caps), 4. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs / Caerwysg – 16 caps) Captain / Capten, 5. Adam Beard (Ospreys / Gweilch – 55 caps), 6. Alex Mann (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 4 caps), 7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers / Caerlŷr – 17 caps), 8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons / Dreigiau – 47 caps)

Replacements:  16. Evan Lloyd (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 1 cap), 17. Kemsley Mathias (Scarlets – 1 cap), 18. Harri O’Connor (Scarlets – uncapped / heb gap), 19. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 32 caps), 20. Mackenzie Martin (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 2 caps), 21. Kieran Hardy (Scarlets – 20 caps), 22. Ioan Lloyd (Scarlets – 6 caps), 23. Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby / Caerdydd – 10 caps).