England stars Declan Rice, Conor Gallagher and Anthony Gordon have been let off the leash ahead of their final Euro 2024 warm-up game against Iceland on Friday.
The trio showed off their pooch-handling pedigree in a Crufts-style agility competition, which will be broadcast during Channel 4’s coverage of the game, before kick-off.
In a one-off competition dubbed ‘England vs Crufts‘ presented by Radzi Chinyanganya, the players were paired off with a dog – each named after some of their England team-mates.
Gallagher was paired with Harry Canine, Gordon with Jack Growlish and Rice was partnered with Collie Watkins.
During the footage, the players appeared to be having a ball as they were put through their paces by their new four-legged friends.
England trio Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher and Declan Rice were given some down-time ahead of this summer’s Euros in a one-off competition dubbed ‘England vs Crufts’
They were put through their paces by their new four-legged friends in a Crufts-style agility competition
The dogs were each given names themed after players in the squad, with Declan Rice pictured here with Jack Growlish
Rice was partnered with Collie Watkins (pictured) while Gallagher was with Harry Canine
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The trio appeared to be very competitive, each wanting to come out as the top dog.
However, one player appeared to have bitten off more than than they could chew and there was a clear winner.
Speaking before they took to the court, the players each gave some insight to their own dogs, with Rice saying: ‘He does know some tricks, when he gets a treat he comes up with his paws and then dips his head, and seeing him do that, it’s worthy of a treat.
Gordon added: My dogs do not listen to me at all, unless I’ve got food, but they don’t listen to me ever. But they’re good, they’ve got good energy.”
Gallagher meanwhile gave a brutal assessment of his dog, admitting he’s ‘not the smartest’ before adding: ‘He does the basic paws and can jump on his back two legs which is always cute but he’s not the most intelligent.’
England’s game against Iceland is the final one before they fly out to Germany for Euro 2024.
The England trio enjoyed their time away from training ahead of their final warm-up game before this summer’s tournament
All three players were confirmed to be in Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man squad on Thursday
Rice is expected to play a massive part in any success England might have this summer, with Gallagher and Gordon also holding hope of contributing for the Three Lions.
Gareth Southgate has confirmed their final 26-man squad for the tournament, with James Maddison, Curtis Jones and Jarrell Quansah among those dropping out.
Major shocks came in the form of the omission of Jack Grealish and Harry Maguire – two England stalwarts under their current head coach.
But Maguire hasn’t played since April and was expected to miss Friday’s final warm-up game versus Iceland as he nurses a calf problem.
Channel 4 will present England’s final Euro 2024 warm-up game against Iceland on Friday night, with coverage set to begin at 7pm.
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