FIVE past England-Wales games

Lens - England and Wales meet at Euro 2016 in Lens on Thursday in the first encounter between the neighbours at the finals of a major tournament.

Here are five notable past meetings of the rivals:

England 1-0 Wales - September 2011

The last clash between the nations came in qualifying for Euro 2012. At Wembley, Ashley Young scored the only goal of the match from a Stewart Downing assist to give England victory, six months after they had won 2-0 in Cardiff. Robert Earnshaw missed an open goal for the Welsh with the game goalless. Several of the players that night are set to feature again in Lens, including Joe Hart, Wayne Rooney, Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale.

England 2-0 Wales - October 2004

When the nations met at Old Trafford in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, it was their first encounter in 20 years. Frank Lampard put England in front before a brilliant David Beckham strike secured the win for Sven-Goran Eriksson's team.

Wales 4-1 England - May 1980

For a century up to 1984 the sides met every year in the British Home Championship. It was in the 1980 tournament that Wales recorded one of their finest victories over England, winning 4-1 in Wrexham against a side containing the likes of Ray Clemence and Glenn Hoddle. Paul Mariner put England ahead but Mickey Thomas and Ian Walsh netted to have the hosts in front by the interval. Leighton James got their third before Phil Thompson's own goal completed the rout. It was Wales' first home win against England for 25 years. "It was my first goal for Wales," Thomas recalled. "I was so thrilled. I won 51 caps for Wales but I look back on that day with great nostalgia because it is the ultimate to beat England and we did it with great style."

England 1-1 Wales - January 1973

The nations both failed to make it to the 1974 World Cup in West Germany after finishing behind Poland in qualifying. Alf Ramsey's side had won 1-0 away in Wales but their hopes were dented by a 1-1 draw in the return fixture at Wembley in January 1973. Liverpool striker John Toshack gave the visitors the lead before renowned hardman Norman Hunter of Leeds United equalised.

England 2-1 Wales - January 1879

There have now been more than 100 games between the teams, and it all began in January 1879 at the Kennington Oval in London, now a cricket venue. Herbert Whitfeld, who was also a cricketer, scored England's first goal and Thomas Heathcote Sorby got what proved to be their winner. Due to the blizzard conditions, the match was shortened to two halves of 30 minutes each, but it was the beginning of a long rivalry which has been dominated by England.