England vs Wales LIVE: Latest score, team news and updates as Declan Rice is named Three Lions skipper, while Ollie Watkins starts up front as Thomas Tuchel's take on rivals in Battle of Britain clash at Wembley

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Follow Daily Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as England host Wales at Wembley in a friendly clash for the October international break, with Oliver Holt, Ian Ladyman and Jack Gaughan reporting from the ground.

KICK-OFF: England 0-0 Wales

Yep, this isn't a 'friendly'.

Both national anthems were booed by supporters, and the atmosphere inside here is that of a monster game.

And off we go to a mighty roar from the Wembley crowd.

Alzheimer's Society mascots

This is lovely, really lovely.

The players have emerged from the tunnel and each of them have a Wales fan living with dementia.

A classy gesture has been made in support of the Alzheimer's Society charity.

Many of them are currently belting out the Wales national anthem as it blares out at Wembley.

Incredibly touching.

'Rice as captain makes sense'

Declan Rice as captain makes sense. It always amazes me that he isn't higher up the pecking order for the job at Arsenal.

epa12442777 Declan Rice of England warms up ahead of the Alzheimer's Society International between England and Wales, in London, Britain, 09 October 2025. EPA/DAVID CLIFF

Kick-off closing in

Are we all excited?

I sure am. There are fewer than 10 minutes until we see these old enemies go head-to-head.

Warm-ups done. Dressing room talks are being had. Bums going on Wembley's red seats.

We are nearly there.

Bukayo Saka of England warms up prior to the International Friendly between England and Wales at Wembley Stadium on October 09, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

David Brooks of Wales warms up prior to the International Friendly between England and Wales at Wembley Stadium on October 09, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Anthony Gordon of England warms up prior to the International Friendly between England and Wales at Wembley Stadium on October 09, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Warning: Flashing lights

PA announcer at Wembley warns us all that the pre-match lights show will contain flashing lights. Thanks pal.

Wales Wembley hoodoo

Tonight, the current Wales side could write themselves into Welsh football folklore.

The Dragons have a woeful record playing England away from home, and I mean it's dreadful.

They haven't beaten the Three Lions on home soil since 1977. Yep, you are reading that right, it's nearly 50 years.

All hoodoos have to come to an end at some point, though, am I right?

Is tonight the night?

Soccer Football - International Friendly - England v Wales - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 9, 2025 Wales players on the pitch before the match REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Rice: 'An honour'

Declan Rice, England stand-in captain, speaking to ITV:

It is a massive game against Wales. It is an honour to lead the team out tonight, and hopefully we can build on what we did last time out. When England play Wales it is always a fiery fixture.

What we did in the last camp was amazing and we have got to keep pushing. Energy, enthusiasm and keep playing with freedom.

Declan Rice of England runs during a training session at St Georges Park on October 08, 2025 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Nearly 30 years

Since what, I hear you say?

Well, tonight Declan Rice becomes the first Arsenal player to captain England for 29 years. Yep, it's been a long old time since a Gunner skippered the side.

I have to say, I agree with my colleague Oliver Holt that Rice is the perfect player to captain the Three Lions without Harry Kane in town.

Surely he is the rightful heir to the armband?

Soccer Football - International Friendly - England v Wales - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 9, 2025 England's Declan Rice during the warm up before match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra

'Rice is what a captain should be'

I like the idea of Declan Rice as England skipper in the absence of Harry Kane. Rice fits my idea of what a captain should be, a player who leads by example on the pitch and is a great communicator, too.

Adam Davy/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to FA restrictions. Editorial use only. Commercial use only with prior written consent of the FA. No editing except cropping.

'I like Tuchel's search for consistency'

I don't agree with Thomas Tuchel's decision to leave big names out of his squad but I have already made that clear. What I do like is the England manager's search for consistency of selection in a big tournament season.

Too many times in the past, England have approached major tournaments unsure of their best line up. Tuchel seems intent on avoiding that mistake and I am a fan. He isn't picking on form - if he was then Anthony Gordon wouldnt get in - and some fans wont like that. But he is a coach with the courage of his convictions and I like that.

Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, reacts during a training session at St Georges Park on October 08, 2025 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Davies: 'We're here to win'

Ben Davies, Wales defender, speaking on Wednesday:

We're playing against a top 10 nation in the world, a very good team. Ultimately we want to test ourselves against the best teams to be ready for when we play another very good team on Monday night.

As a squad, we've worked hard this week, we've looked at the qualities that these teams have and feel like we're as prepared as we can be. So we want to come out here, show our identity, show what we can do and what we've done against other teams and hopefully have a good performance.

Every game against England is going to be competitive. There's a big sense of pride on the line in these games, but we're really looking forward to it. We want to come here and win, even though it's a friendly. I think it's a good opportunity for us to test ourselves to show what we can do, but there's that competitive edge to it too.

Ben Davies of Wales speaks to the media during a press conference at Wembley Stadium on October 08, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

One away from a century

You know in cricket when you get into the nervy nineties, and things start to go Pete Tong.

Well, that doesn't happen in football, so it's pretty irrelevant. I just wanted to make a cricket reference.

Why? Well, tonight is Ben Davies' 99th cap for Wales.

Just one away from the big century, he will soon be swinging his bat to the sky. Well, if he were playing a bat and ball at Lord's, he would be.

Just one more to go after tonight, if he gets through the warm up.

Ben Davies of Wales shows appreciation to the fans following the team's defeat in the International Friendly match between Wales and Canada at Swansea.com Stadium on September 09, 2025 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Tuchel: 'No issue between Bellingham and I'

Thomas Tuchel, England manager, on Jude Bellingham:

I understand your focus on Jude [Bellingham]; he is a very special player, and for special players, there are special rules. But for this camp we decided to stick with out decision to invite the same team, that also applies to Jude. He always deserves to be in camp.

There is also the situation that he hasn't gathered his full rhythm for Real Madrid. He hasn't finished one full match until now; he has only started one now. he is getting back to full strength. We had a phone call. There is no issue from that side, he just lacks rhythm.

Soccer Football - International Friendly - England v Senegal - The City Ground, Nottingham, Britain - June 10, 2025 England manager Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham look dejected after the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo

Where is Bellingham?

The answer is not here.

I imagine Jude Bellingham is kicking his feet up on a coffee table in a fat mansion in Madrid right now. Life ain't too bad for him, even if Thomas Tuchel didn't want him in the England squad.

No, it's not because of his recent shoulder surgery because he is fit again now, the England boss just admitted that he wants to keep the same winning unit together.

Not good news for Jude ahead of the World Cup...

Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, speaks to Jude Bellingham of England during the international friendly match between England and Senegal at City Ground on June 10, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Since 1992

Wow.

This stat is the definition of mental.

England have named a starting XI without a player from at least one of Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester United for the first time since June 1992 against France.

Guess how old I was in 1992?

Well, I wasn't alive. Neither were my brother and sister, with the latter of those being 32 currently.

The last time the big three didn't have players featuring for England, I was eight years from being born, now I'm 25 and writing about it to all of you.

Yep, it's been a long time.

Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England speaks to the media during a press conference at Wembley Stadium on October 08, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

'7,500 Wales fans at Wembley'

Huge away end at Wembley tonight with around 7,500 Wales fans expected here. It’ll be interesting to see how Ollie Watkins does through the middle because he’s unlikely to get many more opportunities to impress before the World Cup.

Zac Goodwin/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.

Wales Team News - Moore STARTS

Good news for Wales.

Kieffer Moore returns to the side after recovering from injury, while Brennan Johnson and David Brooks sit either side of him.

Can they shock the Three Lions?

England Team News - Spence STARTS

Big, big news.

Tonight, Djed Spence makes his full debut for England; a massive night for the full-back.

Meanwhile, Ollie Watkins does indeed start up top, and Declan Rice captains the side.

Happy with the team, England fans?

Watkins to start...

Ready for the team news?

Well, I am going to be a little tease and only give you one bit of it.

Why would I do that? Because I'm annoying, and my friends tell me that all the time (lovingly).

With Harry Kane out through injury, Ollie Watkins has got the nod to start up top for England this evening.

Can he show Thomas Tuchel what he is all about?

England's forward #18 Ollie Watkins celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Nations League, League B group B2 football match between Greece and England at Olympic Athletic Center of Athens "Spyros Louis" stadium in Athens, on November 14, 2024. (Photo by Angelos Tzortzinis / AFP) (Photo by ANGELOS TZORTZINIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Pride on the line

Who will get the bragging rights?

That's what today's all about. Forget the World Cup, that's over 200 days away and England are practically there already - Wales aren't far off either, if they get their act together.

Form goes out the window on nights like these. England may be the much better side on paper, but history shows us that these games are tight. Well, bar the World Cup clash.

And, by the way, I know you will be thinking 'but Wales have a huge game against Belgium on Monday', and yes, you'd be right, but that won't stop them having a pop tonight.

It should be a feisty affair.

England's Declan Rice and Wales' Aaron Ramsey battle for possession during the World Cup group B soccer match between England and Wales, at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan , Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Old enemies reunite

Thomas Tuchel vs Craig Bellamy. Lions vs Dragons. England vs Wales.

The big rivalry is back, and it's going to be tasty.

Now I'm not one for getting gassed about games during the international break, least friendlies, but how can you not be excited for this one?

We love derbies in club football, and well, this is just a derby in international football. Don't be fooled by the term 'friendly', there is nothing friendly about England and Wales meeting.

It's the first time we are seeing them face off since the World Cup in Qatar three years ago, and we all know how that went. The Welsh will be out for revenge.

Anyway, let's get this show on the road.

Soccer Football - International Friendly - England v Wales - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 9, 2025 Fan outside the stadium before match Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra