Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson has challenged her side to be consistent against the best international sides ahead of this summer’s EUROs.

Off the back of an impressive 1-1 draw with Sweden in Wrexham, Wilkinson is convinced that her side can ‘beat anyone’ on their day.

With matches against Denmark and Sweden this week, Wales have the opportunity to take further scalps and enhance their international reputation ahead of a first major tournament this summer.

“The word is always consistency. On their day this team can beat anyone, I truly believe that,” she told Sportin Wales on Thursday.

“There is always some luck involved, but you also make your luck. Against Italy we lost 1-0 but left frustrated and we tied with Sweden and could have won.

“Now we go again. I am proud of two strong performances, but the true measure of a team is how you go back-to-back-to-back, continuously putting out strong performances. This is the next test of that.”

Wales were promoted to League A in the UEFA Nations League, placing them in a group with consistent tournament-qualifiers Sweden, Denmark, and Italy.

After losing 1-0 in Italy in their opening match, Wales earnt a well-fought draw with Sweden. Wilkinson’s side, despite having less possession, out-shot their opponents and looked the more likely to win the match as it settled for a draw.

Add the Nations League with Wales’s difficult European Championship group – England and the Netherlands won the last two tournaments, and France reached the semi-final in 2022 – Wales play nine matches in a row against teams in the top 20 in the world rankings.

“Wales has to be Wales, we are not trying to be anything else other than ourselves and there will be no team ranked lower than us, that we are playing,” Wilkinson added.

“That’s just one measure. If Wales perform to our levels, I honestly believe the opposition are the ones who have to look out for us.”

Wilkinson has given opportunities to players on the fringes off the first XI since their qualifying victory over the Republic of Ireland, and says that she will continue to do so in order to build a tournament squad of 23 players.

Wilkinson has kept one eye on the future, giving debuts to Mayzee Davies and Mared Griffiths, along with Safia Middleton-Patel and Lois Joel who appeared in their first competitive Wales matches recently.

Davies was particularly impressive against Italy in the heart of the Welsh defence, while Griffiths has recently broken into the Manchester United senior squad, scoring twice on her debut in the fifth round of the FA Cup against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

“Every coach has a different philosophy of that (rotation) but from day one I told the players I would be doing that, I am a coach that likes to make changes,” Wilkinson said.

“I am fairly clear on my line-up, but all the way up to the Euros and into the tournament, injuries will happen because this is a contact sport.

“If I do not give my players opportunities to prove what they can deliver for me, then why am I bringing them? That’s not what it is about. We have 23 players and all 23 need to be ready to play.”

Just before Thursday’s press conference started, the news broke that Wales would be hosting the 2035 World Cup, along with England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Wales have never qualified for a World Cup before and, as host, would earn an automatic place at the tournament.

“It’s obviously incredible news, really exciting. As a Canadian who hosted it in 2015, I know what hosting a big tournament like that can do for a country,” Wilkinson said.

“It becomes that much more visible and knowing how the women’s game is currently moving, knowing this is such a catalyst time for us in Wales, it comes at the perfect time.

“But equally, it is that far down the line I can just put it over there (in the distance). But that it is coming is something we are looking forward to.”

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