Debut: Vs Catalans Dragons (H) 30/09/2020

Honours:

Grand Final: Finalist 2022

Jarrod O'Connor joined the Rhinos from Widnes Vikings at the start of the 2019 academy season, signing along with Sam Walters. He played most of his first season at the club under Rob Burrow in the Under-19s, featuring in every game after his debut against Castleford and scored three tries. He also represented Lancashire in the Academy Origin in 2019, helping them win the three-match series.

For 2020, he was given the number 33 shirt and played four times for the first team. It wasn't until 2022 that the youngster started to nail down a first team place under Rohan Smith, as he made 25 appearances and scored one try in the Rhinos' semi final win over Wigan Warriors. He started at hooker in that game and was among the starters in his first Grand Final a week later. 

He was promoted to wear the number 14 shirt in 2023 and quickly became the club's starting hooker. He also played in every match that season, and scored his first tries as a Rhino against Catalans, Hull KR and Leigh in front of a home crowd. He was one of a number of young players at the club that committed to a new three-year deal that keeps him at Headingley until the end of 2026.

Starting his junior rugby at Halton Farnworth Hornets, O'Connor was soon picked up by Widnes' scholarship programme from the development squad. Playing in positions across the field, O'Connor was soon picked up by the academy, being part of a ten player cohort to make the step up in 2017. After spending a year with the academy, O'Connor decided to follow team mate Sam Walters over the Pennines to join Leeds.

Jarrod is the son of former Wigan, Widnes, Salford and Great Britain international Terry O'Connor, who now pundits for Sky Sports.