No England player would make Wales team, says Gareth Bale

Bale’s comments last week about Wales having more pride and passion than England have provoked strong reactions from Hodgson, midfielder Jack Wilshere and Three Lions legend Terry Butcher.

But the Real Madrid star showed no signs of backing down before the Group B showdown in Lens and was happy to stoke the fires further.

Asked how many England players would make the Wales team, Bale smiled and said: “None!”

He added: “People can say what they want. Someone said I disrespected England, which wasn’t the case.

“They’re entitled to their opinion. I really don’t care what they say to be honest. If they feel they have the better squad, good for them.

“We know we’re a good team and we know we can beat them on our day.

“It's good that they bit,” he joked. “I never said that they didn't have passion and pride, I just feel in my opinion that we have more.

“I'm sure they have their opinion that they have more also.

“I'm happy with my comments. I feel we've got a massive team spirit, one of the best I've seen – and that's just my opinion.”

Having won their opening game against Slovakia, Bale insists that there is no pressure on Wales going into the England game.

And he insists they are enjoying every moment of their first major tournament in 58 years – including winding up the old enemy.

“For me there are no mind games,” he said. “We focus on ourselves, other people like to comment on them.

“It's what you take out of it, how much you look into it. For us a team as a camp, we don't look into it. Nothing's fazing us, we don't feel any pressure. We just want to enjoy the occasion.

“I enjoy everything with Wales, I love playing football and being around the boys.

“It's a very good camp to be in I have spoken with a few of the players, to try to help them and encourage them if I can. It obviously worked in the first game.”

And, having not beaten England since 1984, Bale feels now would be the perfect time.

“We know they’re a bigger nation with more players to choose from but we’ve closed the gap massively,” he said.

“We know they’re a good team and, I’m sure if they put in a good performance, they’ll feel they can beat us and we’re exactly the same. If we work well as a team, we feel we can win.

“We’ll be looking forward to it and preparing to win.”