Summary

  • Wales preparing for first major women's tournament in their history after beating Republic of Ireland in play-offs last December

  • Head coach Rhian Wilkinson has named her 23-player squad at the summit of Yr Wyddfa, which was previously known as Snowdon

  • Former captain Sophie Ingle is included having not played since sustaining an ACL injury in September

  • Wales to face the Netherlands, France and England at tournament in Switzerland

  1. Postpublished at 10:13 British Summer Time

    Helen Ward
    Former Wales striker

    So many of these players have played in big games, in big occasions, Sophie has played in an Olympics.

    Jess Fishlock has been around the world playing in massive occasions.

    The rest of the squad need to take it in their stride as best they can, they know it's the biggest moment of their career so far.

  2. Postpublished at 10:11 British Summer Time

    Catrin Heledd
    On BBC News

    It's been a really torrid time for Sophie Ingle, she hasn't played since last September and we were gutted for her.

    She's been working so hard, it'll be interesting to see the role she has in the side.

  3. Postpublished at 10:11 British Summer Time

    Helen Ward
    Former Wales striker

    There's not any surprises in the squad, it's great to see Sophie Ingle in there.

    She's so important to have in that squad both on and off the pitch.

  4. Postpublished at 10:05 British Summer Time

    That's it from Rhian Wilkinson this morning, but stay with us.

    We will have some more reaction to come.

  5. Postpublished at 10:01 British Summer Time

    Laura McAllister
    Former Wales captain on Radio 5 Live

    It's a tricky group in Switzerland, but don't forget we held Sweden to a draw home and away, and they are ranked fifth in the world.

    It's perfect for us though, there's no great expectations, everyone expects us to struggle to get through our group, we hold no fear of any of the teams we go up against.

  6. 'I will never regret not giving it my all'published at 10:00 British Summer Time

    Rhian Wilkinson: "I am very fortunate in that I love my job and I have the best job in Wales, but equally I am aware that I am a football coach.

    "We all want to win but in the end the worst case is that we lose, but I am still going to give it everything I have.

    "Worst case is that I lose my job and I am fired, but I will never regret not giving it my all.

    "It's the same for my players. We all have to be realistic about what we could achieve if we give it everything we have and everything else is just what happens."

  7. 'You can feel the excitement'published at 09:55 British Summer Time

    Catrin Heledd
    On BBC News

    You can feel the excitement building, and you can feel Rhian Wilkinson saying we want to compete and we want to make a difference.

  8. 'I think we're ready'published at 09:54 British Summer Time

    Rhian Wilkinson: "The players will feel pressure and they'll be nervous but that's normal.

    "There's something very powerful about this opportunity and there's really nothing to fear.

    "I think when you're using language like 'what if', you can only be excited.

    "I think we're ready. I think they're nervous, but not in an overwhelming way, more in an excited way and we'll keep working on that in Portugal."

  9. 'We have a great mix'published at 09:51 British Summer Time

    Rhian Wilkinson: "The older players have been really really good with our young players.

    "We said from the beginning that if our young ones didn't feel equally as a part of this journey, we wouldn't qualify.

    "I've been part of teams that have got that wrong... and it will destroy a team.

    "So huge credit to our more experienced players, who from the beginning have made the young ones feel pushed, and made to up their game to their level while still allowing them to feel that warmth and that support.

    "I think this is a great mixture of experience and less experience, but equally the characters as well."

  10. 'I have not seen many other countries like Wales'published at 09:47 British Summer Time

    Rhian Wilkinson: "The fanbase show up, they show up and they show up in good voice as well.

    "As a Canadian, we are very polite and [there is] a little clap now and again.

    "To hear that Red Wall, that voice, the anthem, in those lulls in the game how everybody's invested in trying to support the team.

    "That's another thing Wales has that I've not seen many other countries claim."

  11. 'People will be looking up Wales on a map very soon'published at 09:44 British Summer Time

    Rhian Wilkinson: "At least one of our players will surprise people at the Euros. It's not even a question.

    "Rankings are one measure of a team, but I think what people will realise is that Wales is a sporting nation, and equally the passion and the desire to play for themselves, their families and their country is unparalleled.

    "I am sure people will be looking up Wales on a map very soon."

  12. Three further players to travel, Wilkinson revealspublished at 09:42 British Summer Time

    Rhian Wilkinson: "I have a standby list and we will bring three training players with us to Switzerland. I am not ready to announce those players.

    "There's a group of players that stand behind this team, they have been hurt, but they are still willing to be on standby and keep themselves ready and fit."

  13. Hard work is donepublished at 09:41 British Summer Time

    Rhian Wilkinson: "The players have done the training, they've done the hard work and now it's just around the corner.

    "It is exciting because there's an unknown, but also this is what we've been waiting for, so we've got to make sure we enjoy the journey."

  14. Wales have broken the 'curse'published at 09:38 British Summer Time

    Rhian Wilkinson: "Qualifying was the biggest challenge. That's not to diminish from the importance of the tournament.

    "But I do think these women have got close so many times before, and there's baggage that comes with that and almost a block. A few players used the term 'cursed'.

    "Getting the team past that point, with incredible support from my staff, was critical.

    "And now these younger players will never know anything except this team qualifies for major tournaments, which is a pretty powerful thing."

  15. Voluntary camp attracts 22 playerspublished at 09:37 British Summer Time

    Rhian Wilkinson: "We put on three-day mini-camps last week and this week because the UK players are out of season.

    "It was voluntary but we had 22 players there. That's a testament to these women and how committed they are.

    "They are ready. They want to be as prepared as possible."

  16. Postpublished at 09:35 British Summer Time

    Rhian Wilkinson: "I wasn't able to tell the players as I would have liked, which would have been calling all 23 on the same day.

    "But when I was sure on players, I tried to tell them straight away. I couldn't tell them too early, so it was a bit of a balance."

  17. 'Our goal is to deliver'published at 09:33 British Summer Time

    Rhian Wilkinson: "Outside Wales people can think whatever they want.

    "Our goal is to show up and deliver to the best of our ability.

    "We have seen in the Nations League that when we deliver to our standards, we can compete with the best teams."

  18. 'Fishlock is going to be the face of Wales'published at 09:32 British Summer Time

    Rhian Wilkinson: "Jess is going to be the face, the name of Wales. She knows that.

    "But equally there is a group of senior players who have come through the whole thing, they have seen it all, been through it all and fought the fights.

    "To get the team over the line at what may be the end of their careers... it's one of those things as a coach you are really proud of, to help deliver that."

  19. 'Phone calls the worst part of my job'published at 09:30 British Summer Time

    Rhian Wilkinson: "There are names on this list who have given everything for their country and those phone calls where I had to break their hearts were the worst part of my job.

    "These are very good people, great players, who just didn't make the cut.

    "But me and my staff have worked hard to make sure the names that are on the list are on there for the right reasons, because they are healthy and ready to represent the country."

  20. 'Ingle made me look foolish yesterday!'published at 09:27 British Summer Time

    Rhian Wilkinson: "I don't want to get into (what role Ingle will be able to play) specifically because Sophie's pushing, she's looking really good in training.

    "She made me look foolish yesterday, I should never jump into training anymore, it's not good for my ego!

    "She has to be able to contribute in some way, that was the pre-requisite that I had. When she was able to meet that she was a straight into the squad."