Wales add reinforcement for SA tour

NEWS: Wales coach Wayne Pivac has added an additional front row forward to his squad for the three-Test trip to South Africa.

Scarlets tighthead prop Harri O’Connor has been called up to the squad, with 34 players now set to travel to South Africa later this week.

The first Test against the Springboks will be held at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, July 2.

From there Pivac’s squad will head to Bloemfontein on July 9 for the second Test, before completing the series at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday, July 16.

O’Connor has graduated from the Welsh Exiles programme having previously been part of the Bath Academy.

He studied at Llandovery College and played for Scarlets Under-18 before playing for Wales Under-18 and was also capped at Under-20 level.

O’Connor began his rugby journey at Dorchester before being spotted by Dorset & Wilts for county matches and then moved into the Bath academy aged 15.

The 21-year-old gained experience in the English Championship last season with Nottingham and made his first competitive start for the Scarlets against the Ospreys on New Year’s Day this year.

The squad fly out later this week but there is a handful of injury concerns that need to be cleared up.

Captain Dan Biggar was forced out of Northampton’s semifinal two weeks ago with a back problem, while Josh Adams arrived in camp with a knee issue.

Rhys Patchell also arrived in camp with a hamstring problem.

Wales-based players have been in camp since the beginning of June, with things really ramping up in recent weeks.

Players based at clubs in England, though, only arrived at the Vale Resort HQ on Monday.