English-born Nagy eligible for Wales, say Ospreys

Max Nagy was born in Buckinghamshire but attended Swansea University

Toby Booth believes Ospreys full-back Max Nagy can fill the gap in the Welsh attack left by Alex Cuthbert and George North.

Ospreys have confirmed the 25-year-old full-back, born and raised in Buckinghamshire, now qualifies for Wales on residency grounds.

Nagy attended Swansea University, where he was spotted by Ospreys, and has committed his immediate future to the region by signing a new contract in February.

"We believe Max is now Welsh qualified so, as far as we're aware, Warren [Gatland] could pick him now for Wales," said head coach Booth.

At 6ft 4in (1.93m), it is easy to see why Wales could be interested in the full-back who scored three tries in 11 starts last season before a serious ankle injury.

And Booth believes Nagy could offer Gatland a new option at full-back.

"People want attacking players and when you look at the likes of Alex Cuthbert and George North going, there's not a lot of height and physicality around," he said.

"Max being a bit taller and bigger means his physicality can help, if that's what they're looking for.

"But three years ago he was playing for Swansea University so he knows there's a lot of fine-tuning to do with his positional work. But he's already made massive strides and he's keen to develop."

Ospreys overlooked

However, Ospreys players did not fare well with Gatland last season.

His 34-man squad to tour Australia included just three players from the region, despite them reaching the knockout stages of both the United Rugby Championship (URC) and Europe.

In comparison, 10 players were selected from Cardiff.

Players including Jac Morgan, Adam Beard and Rhys Davies were ruled out by injury but the likes of prop Nicky Smith, Morgan Morris and Owen Williams were overlooked while Sam Parry walked out of camp after feeling slighted by Gatland.

"You always want your players to get the recognition they deserve but you can't always guess what other people are looking for," said Booth.

"There is dialogue with the Wales camp to maintain the ambitions of those players.

"A lot of our players were injured, which is out of our control, but all of those players will be making sure they put their best foot forward because they're all desperate to play for their country."