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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

Gary Lineker becomes a huge Michael Sheen fan but warns what can't happen before Wales v England World Cup clash

Gary Lineker would love to have Michael Sheen in the television studio for the coverage of Wales' World Cup clash with England - to stop him going into the dressing room to fire up Gareth Bale and his team.

Hollywood actor Sheen showed his passion for his country when making his now iconic off-the-cuff speech about all things Wales during a recent appearance on popular television show A League Of Their Own.

He followed that up with another spine-tingling delivery to the players and coaching staff at Wales' Vale Resort training base on Monday.

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After watching that footage, Match of the Day presenter Lineker joked that the 53-year-old needed to be kept out of the Red Dragons' dressing room prior to their clash with England on November 29 given how loved his passionate words have been.

"Need him in the studio for England v Wales," the legendary England striker wrote on his official Twitter account. "Just to keep him out of the Welsh dressing room. Ooooft!"

Wales boss Rob Page and several players including captain Bale admitted they were huge fans of Sheen's words. “It’s been in our WhatsApp group, I’ve had around 100 people sending it to me," Bale said ahead of his side's clash with Belgium.

"It was a fantastic speech. He’s more than welcome to come and do a speech at any time!”

Head coach Page recently admitted he wanted Sheen to fire up his troops when they head to Qatar in November. The actor left Wales players in awe as he delivered his rallying speech to the squad following the conclusion of their Nations League campaign earlier this week.

Wales defender Joe Rodon is also a big fan of Sheen, saying he would run through "10 brick walls" after watching his original speech.

"It was incredible," Rodon said of the speech. "When I first saw it, it was unbelievable. It was brilliant to watch.

"It gives me the shivers as well. Hopefully we can sort something and get him in before the World Cup. It makes me run through 10 brick walls I think! I'm sure every player is the same watching that, it's a brilliant video. It's very passionate and it's what we're all like here."

Wales open up their World Cup campaign against the USA on November 21 before facing Iran four days later. They round off the group stage of the competition against the Three Lions.

Should they finish in the top two of Group B, they will play in the last-16 on either December 3 or 4.

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