UEFA Women's Championship Qualification Wales versus Republic of Ireland kick off 19:15 Fri 29 Nov 2024

Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson says her side are ready to make Welsh footballing history with a first major finals appearance.

While Wales’ men’s side have been qualifying for major tournaments regularly since 2016, Wales’ women have yet to qualify and are now two games away from a place at Euro 2025.

Wales are bidding to reach a first major tournament, while Republic of Ireland are trying to qualify for their first Euros.

The sides are only split by five places in the world rankings, with 24th ranked Republic of Ireland described by Wilkinson in the lead-up to the game as “beatable.”

Wales, who are ranked 29th, earned a place in the final by qualifying from their Nations League group B group and beating Slovakia in a play-off, while Republic of Ireland performed admirably in a tough Nations League A group, beating France before hammering Georgia in a one-sided play-off.

Eileen Gleeson’s side will be favourites to earn qualification with Wilkinson urging her side to focus on a chance to write their names in the history books.

"We are excited. We’ve talked throughout the campaign about opportunity and privilege," Wilkinson told BBC Sport Wales.

"Part of my job is to just stay out of the players’ way because they are ready, they are excited and enjoying being together. We have worked hard to be in this position.

"We want to take this opportunity that we have in front of us."

Wilkinson says leading Wales into a play-off final will be one of the "proudest moments" of her career as Wales play in front of a record crowd.

"I think it will be a real battle. These are two countries that take the opportunity to grow the game very seriously," she added.

"I think it will be a showcase game. Two teams who want to fight for their country and see where they can get to.

"The occasion is inspiring. This is the exciting part, it’s what the players have been working for, for a long time. I hope having the support of the crowd behind us can be a difference-maker."

‘It shows how far we’ve come as a nation’

Wales captain Angharad James says the squad are trying to stay in the moment and focus on the matches with Ireland, rather than the chance to make history.

"Whenever we pull on that red jersey on, every game is just as important as any other and that’s how we’ve tried to prepare for this game," she told BBC Sport Wales.

"As a group we are ready. These are the games we want to play in. We have prepared well and are really looking forward to it.

"It feels like a landmark moment for the game in Wales. To have a record crowd for the home game is great and shows how far we’ve come as a nation. It’s a great achievement for us, because we are looking to inspire the next generation too. To see the fans there, little girls and boys who might be in our position one day, we take that really seriously."

‘A huge game for both’

Republic of Ireland boss Eileen Gleeson says she expects an extremely close game between the two nations who played a friendly in February that Wales won 2-0 in Dublin.

"It’s a huge game for both with a big reward at the end of it so we are expecting a fairly evenly-matched tie. It is two teams with similar profiles," Gleeson told BBC Sport Wales.

"We know Wales are really well organised, have some good mobility and really key players so we expect it to be evenly matched.

“Wales like ourselves have been progressing nicely."

Ireland are bidding to qualify for a second successive major tournament after beating Scotland in a play-off in 2022 to qualify for the World Cup, while Wales were beaten by Switzerland after extra time as they missed out on a World Cup berth.

"Qualifying for the World Cup was one experience, it was our first qualification and like Wales we’ve never qualified for a Euros, so we are pushing for that," Gleeson added.

"But there is no denying qualification and winning a play-off was a really positive experience for us and we will be looking to draw on that."

Team news

Wales are without former captain Sophie Ingle who will miss the remainder of the season after ACL surgery and striker Elise Hughes, who is rehabbing from the same injury, but have suffered no fresh concerns since their play-off victory.

Leicester forward Hannah Cain could be fit to play an increased role having returned to fitness from a second ACL surgery.

Ireland were unable to select Louise Quinn, Ellen Molloy, Lucy Quinn, Jamie Finn or Jess Ziu in their squad due to injury, with Manchester United defender Aoife Mannion joining the injured list with Gleeson confirming she has left the squad after suffering a muscle issue.

Wales will be able to select Jess Fishlock who missed the first leg of Wales’ play-off semi-final with injury and the 37-year old is a player Ireland boss Gleeson says poses a threat.

"Jess is a top player, a really top player at club and international level," Gleeson said. "We are hugely respectful of her. To still be playing at the level she is at her age, is a testament to her."