Max Nagy: Ospreys full-back out for 'quite a few weeks' with ankle surgery

Former Swansea University student Max Nagy (centre) played youth rugby for Northampton

Ospreys full-back Max Nagy is facing an extended period out after having surgery on a dislocated ankle.

Nagy, 27, sustained the injury during last Saturday's 18-13 United Rugby Championship defeat at Benetton.

Four minutes after scoring a try, he was carried off on a stretcher after an awkward fall going for a high ball.

"Max has an operation this afternoon, which is really sad because he's been one of our form players of the year," said Ospreys head coach Toby Booth.

"It's a dislocated ankle so until you open that up and see what it is… there's no bone injury as far as we can see, it's a ligament job.

"It will keep him out for quite a few weeks for sure. It's disappointing for him because he's done exceptionally well but, glass half-full, an opportunity arises for other people."

Nagy has impressed to such an extent this season that the English-born player has been touted for a Wales call-up should he qualify to play for the country.

It remains unclear when Nagy would qualify for Wales on residency grounds, but Ospreys have sought clarity as to when that could be.

Nagy, who made his Ospreys debut in 2021, hails from Buckinghamshire and has been a Welsh resident since September 2018 when he began studying at Swansea University. The confusion surrounds whether Nagy's time as a student counts towards his residency status.

"It's really unfortunate for Max and our best wishes and hearts go out to him because he's started the season so well," Booth said.

"People asking if he's Welsh-qualified is an indication that everyone is excited about him."