Euro 2016: England v Wales combined XI chosen by Nigel Winterburn and Mario Melchiot
Thursday 16 June 2016 13:33, UK
Ahead of Wales' Euro 2016 clash with England, we asked Euro Verdict guests Nigel Winterburn and Mario Melchiot to pick their combined England v Wales XI.
In the build-up to the Euro 2016 Group Clash in Lens, Gareth Bale suggested none of Roy Hodgson's players would make it into the Welsh starting line up.
The Real Madrid forward, who made the claim with a huge grin on his face, was backed up by Wales team-mate Aaron Ramsey, who also suggested the likes of Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Harry Kane and Dele Alli would not warrant a place in Chris Coleman's side.
We asked Winterburn and Melchiot to pick their combined XI on Sky Sports News HQ -but would there be any England players in the line up?
Former Arsenal and England left-back Winterburn and ex-Chelsea defender Melchiot picked 10 England players from England's starting line up against Russia for their XI, with only Bale making the side from Wales' team against Slovakia.
Hart got the nod in goal with England's back four of Kyle, Walker, Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling and Danny Rose in front of him.
England's goalscorer against Russia Eric Dier makes the cut and he's partnered in midfield by Tottenham team-mate Alli and Three Lions skipper Rooney.
In attack Kane is partnered by Adam Lallana and Bale, who is Wales only member of the side.
When asked for his reasoning of the selections, Winterburn said: "I don't need to defend myself [with the selections].
"Wales played tremendously well in the first game. They worked so well and played to a system which also was successful, but when you look at the players individually England should win."
Former Netherlands international Melchiot insists the decision choosing between Rooney and Ramsey was a difficult one.
"I was looking at Rooney and Ramsey," he said. "That would be one of the key decisions because Rooney had a good game in the first half [against Russia] but Ramsey is a player you'd look to get in this team.
"All of the Wales players are either in the Premier League or want to get to the highest level in the Premier League as quickly as they can so it's no surprise really to see on Bale picked in this team."
Nigel Winterburn and Mario Melchiot's combined England-Wales XI: Hart, Walker, Cahill, Smalling, Rose, Alli, Dier, Rooney, Lallana, Kane, Bale.
Who would make YOUR combined England v Wales XI? Tweet @SkyFootball with your suggestions.
