Giggs: Southgate jumped at friendly idea

September 30, 2020
Posted by Steven Tan | Source from Sky Sports
Ryan Giggs has revealed how Gareth Southgate jumped at his idea of a friendly between England and Wales.
 
The two nations meet on October 8 for the first time since England won a Euro 2016 'Battle of Britain' clash 2-1 in Lens.
 
"I did a thing with Gareth for BT and I just mentioned a friendly game then," Giggs said.
 
"He was up for it because he thought it would be a good test for them as well as for us.
 
"It was an easy game to get organised and we've both got two Nations League games after that, so it will stand us in good stead.
 
Speaking at the relaunch of the McDonald's Fun Football programme which will see the company provide over five million hours of free football to five-to-11-year-olds by 2022, the Wales boss added: "It will be a great experience for the players to play at Wembley against a very good team.
 
"There'll be a lot of juggling as you can make more subs in a friendly game, but that will help us before our Nations League games."
 
England and Wales have met 102 times with the first fixture ending in a 2-1 win for England at Kennington Oval in 1879.
 
Wales' last victory came during the final British Home Championship in 1984 when the debut-making Mark Hughes gave the Dragons a 1-0 win at Wrexham.
 
England have won the five games since with Giggs twice on losing Wales sides in 2006 World Cup qualification.
 
"My memories are not great ones because we didn't win the games," Giggs said.
 
"But you remember the build-up and what a huge game it is for the players, the fans and for the country as a whole.
 
"That will be the case again, it always is. It doesn't matter what the sport is, Wales v England is a passionate affair."
 
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