O’Connor Extends Wasps Stay

Ireland flanker Johnny O’Connor has quashed rumours of his immediate return home by signing a new one-year contract with 2004 Zurich Premiership and Heineken Cup champions Wasps.

The 25-year-old – who has featured three times in the 2005 Six Nations against Scotland, England and France so far – has bolstered his contract until the end of next season, despite the fact that Wasps are yet to appoint a replacement for departing director of rugby Warren Gatland.

O’Connor – who earns his sixth Test cap against Wales on Saturday – said: “I’m very happy to be at Wasps next season. Playing at Wasps is a great privilege.

“The challenges of training and playing with this group of people has helped my game so much since I joined.”

O’Connor has scored four tries in 18 appearances for Wasps this season, and arguably had his best Test appearance in Ireland’s 19-13 defeat of England earlier this month – putting in an exhaustive 14 tackles in his first full 80 minutes.

Wasps assistant coach Shaun Edwards added: “Obviously we are very pleased. We have got two very good sevens in Johnny and Tom Rees.”