Roy Hodgson and Chris Coleman relish England and Wales Euro 2016 clash

And they could come up against team-mates Joe Allen and Martin Skrtel after both Wales and Slovakia were picked in the same group, with Russian Federation the other team.

No specific target has been set – it is thought that reaching the quarter-finals, with England viewed as playing good football, would be viewed as enough progress, especially coming from the low base of the disappointment of last year’s World Cup humiliation and elimination after just two matches.

Hodgson added: “We are very pleased”.

“There were a few teams in that pot that we could have got that would have been a tough one, so why not have a tough one close to home?” There was a very good chance we’d meet one of the home nations.

“We must respect our other opponents too”.

“Slovakia and Russian Federation are interesting. We would have wanted to avoid it, but we look forward to it. We deserve to be here and I think the tournament will be a fantastic one”. “Whatever we say or do, once the referee’s whistle goes it’ll come down to what those 22 players can do out on the pitch”.

“Chris has put a lot of players around those that are complementing them well and make certain they can get the best out of, in particular, Gareth Bale, who is a world star”. Slovakia had some great results, and Russian Federation are Russia. I was just sitting around looking at all the managers – Joachim Low, Vicente del Bosque, Roy Hodgson – and you realise you are in serious company here. Plus, we kick off against England so we can dive straight into the great atmosphere of the tournament, into the euphoria.

As Hodgson and the FA hierarchy left the Palais de Congres following the draw on Saturday evening, however, there was a sense of calm satisfaction about the hand dealt to England. They’ve had a walk in the park in qualifying but with Wales in their group this will be much harder.

In the two direct confrontations England won 3-0 at Wembley thanks to a couple of Michael Owen goals but lost 2-1 in Moscow.

England had a 50-50 chance of drawing one of their Celtic neighbours in the championships, with Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all being in pot 4 heading into the draw, and now they will have to be on their guard against a motivated and risky Welsh side in what looks to be one of the standout fixtures from the group-stage.

“It’ll be two British teams going at it and it will be exciting”.

The Three Lions will also face Slovakia and Russian Federation.

He also urged fans of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to travel to France, insisting that security will be a priority for the competition.