SLOVAKIA’S victory over Russia has put greater pressure on England to deliver a victory over the Welsh when they meet in Lens on Thursday afternoon, particularly in the battle to top the group.

If you look at the world rankings, 15 places separate the two British countries with Roy Hodgson’s side the higher of the two sitting in 11th spot.

Wales might boast the most expensive player in the world right now in Gareth Bale and when he was asked which members of the England team would get in the Wales side at the Euros his reply was none of them.

Chief football writer Paul Fraser has taken a look at the 22 players who started England and Wales’ opening games in Group B and come up with a combined 11. Do you agree?

ENGLAND-WALES BEST XI

JOE HART (England)

Liverpool youngster Danny Ward only made his international bow in March and has just three caps to his name, whereas Manchester City’s Hart has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world right now.

KYLE WALKER (England)

The quick Spurs right-back has been one of England’s best performers in his last few matches, showing he can defend as well as attack, so he is a better bet than Reading’s decent full-back Chris Gunter.

ASHLEY WILLIAMS (Wales)

The Welsh skipper has been on a lot of top clubs’ wanted list for a number of years but his valuation has put teams off. His pace and calmness on the ball would see him oust Chelsea’s Gary Cahill.

CHRIS SMALLING (England)

The Manchester United man has developed into one of the most highly-rated defenders around and he should only get better. He suits a four at the back rather than the Welsh’s preferred three, so Ben Davies and James Chester miss out.

DANNY ROSE (England)

He looked a star in the making during his loan at Sunderland and the Tottenham man is proving why in an England shirt. More dangerous going forward than Swansea’s former Newcastle target Neil Taylor and he can work well in the opposite direction too.

ERIC DIER (England)

Based on his goalscoring performance against Russia, he keeps his place at the heart of midfield despite the threat of Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen. The Spurs midfielder has the potential to be a star for years to come on the international stage.

AARON RAMSEY (Wales)

The Ramsey conundrum. The bottom line is he deserves to play in this 11 and his tendency to score goals as well as create things means he can start ahead of Adam Lallana on the right for the England-Wales combo team.

DELE ALLI (England)

He might not have been at his best against Russia, but he is capable of finding the net from nothing and his energy means he is a far better bet in the middle than any of the others Chris Coleman can call on in the Welsh team.

WAYNE ROONEY (England)

England’s record goalscorer impressed in centre midfield in the Euros’ opener in Marseille and he will be retained in that role against Wales, and rightfully so. Rooney, the England captain, plays.

GARETH BALE (Wales)

The Real Madrid man is one of the game’s superstars and will be Wales’ biggest threat for the duration they are in the finals. Bale would be perfect on the England left instead of the struggling Raheem Sterling.

HARRY KANE (England)

Even if Hodgson should have taken him off against Russia and stopped him from taking corners, the Tottenham striker is developing into a complete centre-forward. His rivals to lead the line in a Wales shirt would be either Bale or Jonathan Williams; neither are natural strikers.