Wales wing Tom Prydie has played just 167 minutes of rugby for the Ospreys

Warren Gatland hopes the Ospreys find space in their star-studded squad to give record-breaking Welsh youngster Tom Prydie much-needed game time.

The teenage wing became Wales' youngest capped international in their 33-10 Six Nations win over Italy on Saturday after just two starts for his region.

But Prydie is behind Shane Williams, Tommy Bowe and Nikki Walker - among others - in the Ospreys pecking order.

"I'd like to see him play a bit of rugby," said Wales coach Gatland.

Prydie had played just three games for the Ospreys - coming off the replacements bench once in the Heineken Cup - when he broke Norman Biggs' 112-year record and become Wales' youngest player at the age of 18 years and 25 days.

The youngster also broke the youngest Six Nations player record, overtaking England's Matthew Tait, to add to being the youngest Welshman and the youngest player to play in the Heineken Cup.

Gatland praised Prydie's "control and composure" in his much-hyped Wales debut but now the New Zealander just hopes the talented youngster is given a chance by his region.

The Ospreys - European rugby's 'galacticos' - boast two on-form British and Irish Lions wings in Bowe and Williams while Walker is an established Scottish international.

Jonny Vaughton, teenage sensation Kristian Phillips and new signing Richard Fussell - who joins in the summer from the Dragons - means a tough battle for the two wing berths at the Ospreys.

Prydie's only two 80 minutes of competitive senior rugby was in the second-tier LV= Cup - scoring a try and kicking two conversion in a win over the Dragons before kicking three conversions in a victory over Leeds.

Gatland wants to continue developing him on Wales' two-Test tour to New Zealand in the summer so hopes Scott Johnson can play Prydie.

"The Ospreys have so much depth and talent in their squad," points out Gatland.

"So when is he going to get an opportunity to play some rugby regularly before the tour of New Zealand. It will be a huge challenge for us.

"I want to see the kid to play at the highest possible level, that is the key going forward.

"I'm reluctant to have dialogue with the Ospreys about him and to put them under pressure as they have a lot of wingers at their disposal - a huge amount of players to call on.

"I'd just like to see him get an opportunity."

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