Euro 2016: SunSport pick their combined England-Wales XI after Gareth Bale’s controversial jibe
Real Madrid forward bizarrely claims none of the Three Lions squad would make it into Chris Coleman's Welsh line-up
GARETH BALE lit the touchpaper ahead of the massive Euro 2016 showdown between England and Wales, bizarrely claiming that NO English player would make it into Chris Coleman's XI.
The Real Madrid frontman, 27, also said that the Welsh team is far more passionate than Roy Hodgson's mob.
Bale said: "I think we've got a lot more passion and pride about us than them. We'll definitely show that on the day.
"I don't know what it is but, if you're Welsh, we feel more pride and passion than anyone else."
And when asked how many England players would get into this current Welsh team, Bale quipped before you could say 'Euros': “None.”
So taking on board the Welsh wizard's thoughts, SunSport has decided to pick their very own England-Wales combined XI.
But do any England players feature? Spoiler alert: Yes.
FORMATION
IT'S Roy Hodgson's latest enemy, the 4-4-2 diamond.
To accommodate a host of stars, there's been no option but to play the big names out of position, or tweak the tactics ever so slightly.
Anyway, on to the team, who makes it into SunSport's combined XI?
GOALKEEPER
THE ultimate no-brainer: Would you rather have one of the best stoppers on the planet or a player who struggles to break into his club's first team?
Exactly, and that's why Joe Hart is comprehensively getting the nod here over Crystal Palace's shaky Wayne Hennessey, Liverpool second-choice Danny Ward and, err, Inverness Caledonian Thistle's No1.
One place done and dusted and already Bale's bizarre outburst has been wholeheartedly refuted.
DEFENCE
ON to the back four and at the full back spots, it's impossible to look beyond England and Tottenham duo Kyle Walker and Danny Rose.
Their performances all season for Spurs as well as their cracking showing for the Three Lions against Russia in both attack and defence, let alone their sheer confidence, makes this as simple a decision as you could imagine.
In the central defensive ranks, it's hard to break up Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill, but if anyone from the Welsh back four could break into the Three Lions team, it's Ashley Williams.
He lines up alongside the ever-improving Smalling in our combined XI.
MIDFIELD
IN our fancy diamond midfield, it's impossible to plump for Eric Dier in the holding role.
The Tottenham man is one of the first names on the team-sheet recently thanks to his game really adding another dimension to the England side; not to mention he netted the Three Lions only goal of the tournament so far.
Further forward, you can't look past Dier's Spurs team-mate Dele Alli, whose confidence is matched only by his ability.
He will feature at the tip of the diamond, supporting the front two with Aaron Ramsey and Wayne Rooney sitting in the middle.
On his day Ramsey is one of the best midfielders in the world while Roo has enjoyed something of a renaissance after dropping deeper of late.
His range of passing, not to mention his ability to read the play and, of course, push forward would be a solid addition to any team.
FORWARD
THERE'S one obvious name on this list... Gareth Bale.
Despite his antagonistic statements, he's one of the first names on this XI.
But who would he team up with? He may have looked 'jaded' against Russia, but Harry Kane is the logical choice.
His eye for goal and lack of fear to take a shot from seemingly anywhere makes him the perfect partner for Bale, who's ability from set-pieces, range of passing and strength in the air make him a genuine star turn.