"It's a game between brothers," Hodgson said Wednesday, in a remark that will likely be viewed with both bemusement and amusement from the Welsh population. "That adds spice and interest," said Hodgson, whose team drew 1-1 with Russia in their opening Group B game. England captain Wayne Rooney, however, talked about it as just another game and wasn't ready to go toe-to-toe with Bale in the mind games. "It's not England vs. Gareth Bale," Rooney said, "it's England vs. Hodgson rolled his eyes when asked if remarks from the Welsh camp were getting under his players' skin.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 15, 2016 15:33 UTC