Giggs annoyed by England talk

The Manchester United flyer played for England as a schoolboy, but insists he could not have turned out in a full international.

Giggs will get the chance to showcase his talents on the international stage when Wales take on Italy in Cardiff on Wednesday.

Many claim Giggs could have been the difference between England winning rather than falling short at major tournaments, but he says this would have been impossible.

He said: "I'd rather go through my entire career without qualifying for a major championship than play for a country where I wasn't born. That's just stupid.

"The problem arose because I played for England schoolboys. But that was because I went to school in England and that was the criteria for selection, not where you were born.

"What has bugged me more than anything in my career is to keep on hearing people say I chose to play for Wales. I still hear it, people discussing it on the radio even now, it's very, very annoying for me.

"It's the question that has bugged me most for the last 10 years or so. I am Welsh, 100 percent. End of story. Both my parents and all my grandparents are Welsh.

"It's as simple as that, it's impossible for me to play for England."

Wales boss Mark Hughes has fashioned a quality attacking side, and Giggs, who will win his 38th cap on Wednesday, could go a long way to reaching a major tournament if they can see off the Azzurri in Wednesday.

It will not be easy, though, as Giggs says: "If Italy are at their best there's not many weaknesses.

"They have people like Alessandro Del Piero who can destroy teams with a goal or a pass.

"Individually they are exceptional players, especially at the back, but we know that if we are at our best we can hurt them.

"I've been fortunate to win so much but to achieve success with my country is definitely one of the goals I have yet to achieve."