Coach Eddie OSullivan has rewarded OConnor following several top-drawer performances for Wasps this season by handing him a Test start against South Africa at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

Injuries to Keith Gleeson and Kieron Dawson cleared OConnors path to the number seven jersey, but given his recent performances, few could argue with the 24-year-olds elevation to the top even if the pair had been fit.

Life was not quite so rosy last season, however, with the Ireland A international suffering an Achilles injury in February which forced him to miss the run-in to Wasps glorious double triumph.

It was a major setback as his form had made people sit up and take notice.

But he put the break for rehabilitation to good use, improving his conditioning and honing his rugby skills to catapult himself back into the limelight.

The injury was a big blow but these things happen in professional sport.

Its something you have to get over and the experience makes you a stronger person, he said.

Ive definitely come back as a better player.

I worked really hard in the gym and focused on other parts of my game that needed to be worked on.

Things have been getting better for me with Wasps.

I struggled a bit at the start of the season but the last four or five games have gone well for me.

OConnor first came to Wasps attention during a pre-season match against Connacht: the Galway-born forward was singled out by skipper Lawrence Dallaglio as a handful, prompting director of rugby Warren Gatland to sign him last year.

It was a brave decision to leave Ireland but it has proved the correct one with OConnor flourishing in the company of England back row internationals Dallaglio and Joe Worsley.

He said: Moving to Wasps was important to me in that the players I have around me have helped a lot.

Theyve looked after me.

There are a lot of stars at Wasps but no egos - its quite a working-class club.

South Africa have selected AJ Venter at openside and the presence of the Natal Shark - who made his Test debut against Ireland in 2000 - ensures the Boks will boast a more powerful back row on Saturday.

But OConnors mobility means the tourists should be frequently beaten to the break-down and Ireland skipper Brian ODriscoll hopes his presence will help out-manoeuvre the southern hemisphere giants.