All eyes, as far as France are concerned at least, will be on one man tonight.

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, who starts, has been named in France's 26-man squad for this summer's European Championship after an international absence of nearly six years.

He has not played for his country since 2015 as a result of his alleged involvement in an attempted blackmail case involving an ex-France team-mate.

Benzema, 33, missed France's Euro 2016 campaign and 2018 World Cup win as a result of the allegations.

In January 2021 French prosecutors announced Benzema would face trial.

He is accused of paying individuals to extort money from midfielder Mathieu Valbuena, 36, by threatening to make a sex tape public in 2015, but the striker argues a police officer used dishonest methods to draw him into the situation.

After confirming Benzema was in his squad, France manager Didier Deschamps said: "The most important is today and tomorrow.

"There were important steps. We saw each other. We discussed at length. I had a long reflection to come to this decision. I won't reveal a word of the discussion, that concerns us. I needed it, he needed it ".

You can read more on the France squad here.

Image source, Getty Images

They pull him back in.

What an up-and-down 24 hours for Tom Lockyer.

The Luton centre-back has been called into Wales' Euro 2020 squad after James Lawrence was forced to withdraw because of a training injury.

St Pauli defender Lawrence, 28, was included when the 26-man squad was named on Sunday night.

But he was ruled out less than 24 hours later and has been replaced by Lockyer.

Lockyer, 26, has won 13 caps and was considered unfortunate by some to have missed out in the original squad. He does not feature tonight having been out injured since February.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Another player who is among Wales' substitutes is the uncapped Cardiff City youngster Rubin Colwill, who was the surprise inclusion in Wales' 26-man squad for Euro 2020.

Attacking midfielder Colwill, 19, who only made his Cardiff debut in February, has been part of Wales' training squad preparing for the finals. He impressed Robert Page so much that he made the final cut.

Read more about him here.

Image source, Getty Images

Midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who is a substitute tonight, believes reaching a second successive European Championship has set a new benchmark for Wales.

After reaching the semi-finals at Euro 2016 - the first major tournament Wales appeared at since the 1958 World Cup - they begin their Euro 2020 campaign against Switzerland in Baku on Saturday, 12 June.

Juventus star Ramsey is back fit after a "frustrating" period of injuries and hopes Wales can build on their 2016 legacy to inspire future generations.

Well this post is different from what it might have been even a few hours ago.

We have reported how Gareth Bale says he will not be affected by speculation about his future as he prepares to lead Wales at Euro 2020.

Bale, 31, spent this season on loan at Tottenham from Real Madrid and benefited from playing more regularly.

With Bale's club future under scrutiny, there has even been speculation that he could retire after the Euros.

Bale did not categorically deny that but said: "My sole focus is on the Euros now."

However, it now seems Bale will be playing his football next season back at Real Madrid under his former boss Carlo Ancelotti.

"Gareth has not played much in the Premier League, but he scored lots of goals and was very effective in recent games when he had the chance to play," Ancelotti said today.

"He is coming back, I know him very well, he will be motivated to play better and have a great season, no doubt."

Image source, Football Association of Wales

The big news for France is that Karim Benzema starts, with the Real Madrid striker making a first international appearance for almost six years.

He returns in place of Thomas Lemar and the only other change from France's 1-0 win against Bosnia and Herzegovina in March's World Cup qualifier sees Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso replace club team-mate Kingsley Coman.

France: Lloris; Pavard, Varane, Kimpembe, Hernandez; Pogba, Tolisso, Rabiot; Griezmann; Mbappe, Benzema.

Subs: Mandanda, Maignan, Ben Yedder, Coman, Dembele, Digne, Dubois, Kounde, Lenglet, Sissoko, Thuram.

Image source, BBC Sport

Wales make two changes from their 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over the Czech Republic in March.

Defender Chris Gunter replaces James Lawrence and midfielder Joe Allen is recalled in place of Ethan ampadu.

An unchanged front three sees captain Gareth Bale start on the right with Harry Wilson in the false nine role.

Wales: Ward; Mepham, Rodon, Gunter; C. Roberts, Allen, Morrell, N. Williams; Bale, Wilson, James.

Subs: Hennessey, A. Davies, Brooks, Cabango, Colwill, B. Davies, Levitt, Moore, Norrington-Davies, Ramsey, T. Roberts, J. Williams.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Bonsoir and noswaith dda - welcome to Wales' trip to the French Riviera.

The season finished approximately 17 minutes ago and now here we are, ready to kick off the delayed Euros, once we get these obligatory warm-up matches out of the way.

Wales have decided to go for an experience rather than a morale boost, because they are essentially playing Fifa on the hardest setting with this daunting visit to Nice.

Now Nice is nice, of course (see the sea pic), but France are not. They are the World Cup holders and as stiff a test as you could possibly ask for.

It could be a long old night for Wales.

Let's have a look at those teams, shall we?

Image source, Football Association of Wales