WALES’ main man Gareth Bale has ratcheted up the tension with Group B rivals England – accusing the Three Lions of lacking the passion and pride that is ingrained in the Welsh squad.

As both sides prepare for their first matches of Euro 2016 on Saturday – Wales against Slovakia and England against Russia – Bale pulled no punches when asked about the old enemy.

The Real Madrid star questioned England’s mentality and says he’s relishing the chance to give Roy Hodgson’s men a bloody nose in their Group B showdown on June 16.

“It is an amazing game to be involved in,” said Bale. “For me it is probably the stand out game in the group stages.

“It is one we are looking forward to. There is no pressure on us.

“They big themselves up before they’ve done anything so we’re going to go there and we believe we can beat them.

“They believe they can beat us. I’m sure it will be a very good game, hopefully we can come out on top.”

Bale says the team will take inspiration from Wales’ victory over England at last year’s Rugby World Cup at Twickenham – an occasion that he believes showed the difference between the two nations.

"If you're Welsh, look at the rugby, we feel more pride and passion than anyone else,” he added.

“It's one of those things. It's difficult to explain but we feel that pride and passion.

“Look at the national anthem, everyone sings, the whole stadium.

“I remember the Belgium game, we were all tired, and the whole stadium just started singing it. I don't think any other nation would do that. Being Welsh just brings it out of you.

“The England game is like any derby, you never want to lose to the enemy.

“I think we’ve got a lot more passion and pride about us than them. We’ll definitely show that on the day.”

But first up is a tough test against Slovakia and it’s a match that brings back plenty of memories for Bale.

As a 17-year-old he made his first competitive start in a Wales shirt in a Euro 2008 qualifier against the Slovakians in October 2006.

Bale, playing at left-back, curled in a superb free-kick to become Wales’ youngest scorer but John Toshack’s inexperienced side were humbled 5-1 at the Millennium Stadium.

"It's a good memory, I've still got the record,” said Bale, who insists that this match is as important as next week’s Battle of Britain.

“Ultimately we want to go deep in the tournament but we have to take each game as it comes and when that game comes we have to give 100 per cent.

“Slovakia, then after that England, then Russia. If we happen to qualify then it will be the next game. It really is like that.

“We can’t afford to think about the future because we have to get there first.”

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