That will apply off the pitch too for a match being played in the second smallest of the tournament venues. A rivalry dating back 137 years will reach a new level of intensity in Lens on Thursday when England and Wales meet at a major tournament for the first time. Asked about the Welsh dislike of their neighbours, England midfielder Jack Wilshere was quoted in British media as saying, "We know that Wales don't like us. When England played their other neighbours Ireland (in 1988 and 1990) and Scotland (1996) at past European Championship or World Cup tournaments, the football was passionate but mostly lacking in quality. But those feelings will never have received greater outlet on a football pitch than in Thursday's game.

Source: Standard Digital June 15, 2016 08:58 UTC