EURO 2016: England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland find out who they’ll face in France
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Roy Hodgson’s men take on Chris Coleman’s side on Thursday, June 16 in Lens in what will be the teams’ second match in Group B.
It was the draw Coleman had been hoping to avoid, but Russia and Slovakia are the other opponents in the group meaning the most daunting rivals had been avoided.
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Hide AdNorthern Ireland were drawn in Group C with world champions Germany, plus Poland and Ukraine.
Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland side were drawn in Group E, which looks to be the toughest in terms of the path to the knock-out rounds, with Belgium, who are currently top of the FIFA world rankings, Sweden and Italy.
England kick off their campaign in Marseille on Saturday, June 11 against Russia, meet Wales five days later, and end the group against Slovakia in St Etienne on Monday, June 20.
Marseille, Lens, and St Etienne were also the venues for three of England’s matches in the 1998 World Cup in France, memorable for goals by Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Michael Owen.
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The groups:
Group A
France
Romania
Albania
Switzerland
Group B
England
Russia
Wales
Slovakia
Group C
Germany
Ukraine
Poland
Northern Ireland
Group D
Spain
Czech Republic
Turkey
Croatia
Group E
Belgium
Italy
Republic of Ireland
Sweden
Group F
Portugal
Iceland
Austria
Hungary