Wales rugby: Ospreys vow to back players after summer omissions

Ospreys head coach Toby Booth says he will continue to promote his players after Morgan Morris and Nicky Smith were again left out of the Wales squad by Warren Gatland.

Uncapped number eight Morris, Leicester-bound prop Smith and flanker James Ratti have played integral roles in Ospreys reaching the United Rugby Championship (URC) play-offs, in which they travel to face Munster on Friday night.

But international recognition has again eluded them, with head coach Gatland overlooking the trio for this summer’s trip to Australia.

“We know that regional rugby and international rugby is different,” said Booth.

“Only the people that are picking the respective squads for particular games and campaigns know what they are looking for.

“It is Warren’s choice and we are respectful of that, and ultimately the people in front of them must have done what he wants them to do.

“It suggests what Morgan has, they already have in their squad. They know what they want. Those people that have been picked must have delivered in the areas they want and we can’t control that.”

Booth says his players will continue trying to impress and that Ospreys know what they “need to keep working on”.

“The likes of Morgan, James and Nicky are adamant they want to fulfil their potential and play at the highest level,” he added.

“It is a setback but we will keep going as we have done before. We will promote our players and I will always defend them.”