Roy Hodgson fires back after Gareth Bale’s comments about England

Despite winning their first game, Wales are still seen as underdogs for the match against England but despite that, Robson-Kanu believes they can cause a shock against their rivals from over the border. The Wales players and fans are singing from the same hymn sheet in every sense. “It was really spine-tingling hearing the anthem sung like that with so much passion”.

FAW national security officer Wayne Nash said: “We have been working with the British police – both the Welsh and English delegations – and UEFA to make it a game remembered for the right reasons”.

“Maybe from England’s camp and England itself there’s more pressure on them, but for us it’s all about getting through to the last 16”.

Wales no. 1 Wayne Hennessey missed the opening game with Slovakia after suffering a back spasm, meaning Ward was called upon to deputise in his place.

Speaking before the Slovakia game, in which he netted a spectacular free-kick, Bale had said of England: “I think we’ve got a lot more passion and pride about us than them”.

England are now 4/7 (1.67) to win the game, the draw is 3/1 (4.0) and Wales are bet365’s 6/1 (7.0) outsiders, an industry best price at the time of writing.

“This time I won’t get too carried away with the celebrations”.

Ramsey claimed the assist, but it was Joe Ledley’s incisive pass, 12 minutes after coming off the bench and only five weeks to the day since he broke a leg, that set the Arsenal midfielder free.

Ward, who was making his first start for his country on the biggest stage on Saturday, says he does not know if he’ll be needed against England. “I also have to thank the manager for giving me the opportunity to be here”.

Hal Robson-Kanu’s tidy finish propelled Wales over Slovakia in their first global tournament since 1958.

‘It’s a passionate dressing room and I would recommend anybody who does have any doubts about players in that respect to just watch the game against Russian Federation and then come to me afterwards and tell me where they have seen that lack of passion and that lack of patriotism because I certainly didn’t see it.