TOM Lawrence impressed and his Blackburn Rovers team-mate Adam Henley came on for his international debut as Wales kick-started their preparations for Euro 2016 with a 3-2 friendly defeat to Holland tonight.
Lawrence, who is loan at Ewood Park from Leicester City, was handed his full debut by Wales boss and former Rovers defender Chris Coleman in the Cardiff City Stadium clash.
And the 21-year-old attacker certainly did not disappoint with a lively display that will have enhanced his growing reputation.
Right-back Henley, also 21, got his first taste of international action when he replaced Chris Gunter.
Wales twice battled back from behind through Joe Ledley and Emyr Huws but Holland won it thanks to two goals from Arjen Robben and one from Bas Dost.
Northern Ireland, who are also bound for next summer’s finals in France, won their friendly at home to Latvia 1-0 thanks to a second-half strike from Steven Davis.
Rovers midfielder Corry Evans came on at half-time.
Evans’ club-mate Shane Duffy did not make the substitutes’ bench as Republic of Ireland drew the first leg of their Euro 2016 play-off with Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-1 in Zenica.
Burnley left-back Stephen Ward was withdrawn midway through the second half.
Republic of Ireland Under-21s’ hopes of reaching the UEFA European Under-21 Championship were hit after they lost 3-1 to Lithuania in Vilnius.
Rovers defender Darragh Lenihan captained the Irish side and made an uncharacteristic error which led to Lithuania’s third goal.
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