Six Nations 2024: Wales centre Owen Watkin deserves recall, says Ospreys coach Booth

Centre Owen Watkin made his international debut against Australia in November 2017

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth has praised centre Owen Watkin after he was handed an international recall by Wales.

Watkin has been named as one of five midfield options in Warren Gatland's Six Nations squad.

The 27-year-old missed the 2023 World Cup and last played for Wales in the home defeat against Georgia in November 2022.

"Owen has got exactly what he deserves," said Booth.

"I'm delighted for him after a time of absence he's been rewarded with another international call-up."

George North, Nick Tompkins, Joe Roberts and Mason Grady are the other centre options for Gatland, with Watkin preferred to the likes of Keiran Williams and Max Llewellyn, while Johnny Williams is suspended.

Watkin has played 36 internationals and was in the 2019 World Cup squad.

"He has gone away, we have supported him and he is one of our most important players because he's always a consistent performer," said Booth.

"I had a conversation with the Welsh coaches when he came in and they were glowing to how much he has grown and that's all you can do.

"I am pleased he has been rewarded and Owen is a good advert about how resilient you need to be."

Watkin has been in the international wilderness for more than a year but Booth says his game has improved.

"He's more visible in influencing parts of the game overall," said Booth.

"We play him at 12 and at 13 and he's shown more impact with the ball.

"He's one of our leading players, a defensive player with his organisation of people and how he's been around the place.

"He's more comfortable as a leader so those are two massive areas. He has always had it but it's now more visible.

"He's a reflection of the environment he's in, and thriving with a lot of senior players having left us.

"You know exactly what you are going to get, he glues the team together and is well respected."

Watkin was one of four Ospreys players selected by Wales as he is joined by fellow centre North, prop Gareth Thomas and lock Adam Beard.

Ospreys are the most successful Welsh region this season so far but have the lowest representation in the 34-man Wales squad, with Cardiff having 11 players, Scarlets eight and Dragons six.

Flanker Jac Morgan and hooker Dewi Lake will miss the tournament through injury while prop Nicky Smith is also sidelined but players such as hooker Sam Parry have been overlooked.

"Injuries have played a part," said Booth.

"I can't pre-empt what people are going to do but what I can do is put a performance programme in place to give players a chance.

"Some of our players potentially could have muscled their way in there but the challenge for them now is to do that.

"It is often about opinion and not necessarily your capability as a player. If we perform well as a team and champion individual performances those things take care of themselves."

Thomas has not travelled to South Africa for the final Challenge Cup game against Lions on Sunday because of a minor hamstring niggle but that will not hamper his Six Nations hopes.

Lock James Fender has joined the long-term injury list after suffering a shoulder injury in the victory against Perpignan.

Ospreys have already qualified for the knockout stages of Europe's second tier tournament but will be hoping a win in Johannesburg could set up a home last-16 tie in April.