Key occasions
England crew information: Carter and Mead begin
If that is Sarina Wiegman’s possible XI to start out towards France, she’s made a few attention-grabbing calls: Jess Carter is picked forward of Niamh Charles at left-back and Beth Mead is most popular to Chloe Kelly because the right-sided ahead. For all the issues England have had that’s a powerful XI, which incorporates six of the gamers who began the Euro 2022 last and three extra who got here off the bench.
England (4-3-3) Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Carter; Stanway, Walsh, Toone; Mead, Russo, Hemp.
Substitutes: Charles, James, Le Tissier, Moorhouse, Clinton, Morgan, Agyemang, Kelly, Beever-Jones, Park, Keating, Wubben-Moy.
Tom Garry on the return of Lauren James, who’s a helluva card for England to play from the bench as she recovers from damage
Preamble
Actuality doesn’t all the time chew. Generally a mild nuzzle is sufficient to make us conscious that issues are about to get actual. England’s assembly with Jamaica on the King Energy Stadium at the moment ought to be a mild nuzzle of a soccer match, their first and final warm-up sport for Euro 2025.
After which actuality will plunge its molars into no less than certainly one of England, France and the Netherlands. These three be a part of Wales on this yr’s group of demise, with England taking part in France in a scarily essential opening sport on Saturday night.
In some cultures England’s state of affairs can be described as sub-optimal, particularly given the latest insecurity brought on the retirement or withdrawal of Millie Vibrant, Mary Earps and Fran Kirby. However their first XI stays extraordinarily sturdy, able to giving any crew a sport, and if their morale is wholesome they’ve an honest probability of profitable Euro 2025.
In addition to being the final pitstop earlier than issues get actual, at the moment’s sport ought to give us an honest thought of the collective morale. In fashionable sport there are lies, damned lies and press conferences. However the reality all the time emerges on the sector.
Kick off 5pm.