- Three England stars were put to the test by four-legged friends
- Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon and Conor Gallagher participated in the event
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England stars Declan Rice, Conor Gallagher and Anthony Gordon were all released ahead of their final Euro 2024 warm-up match against Iceland on Friday.
The trio showed off their dog-handling pedigree in a Crufts-style agility competition, which will be broadcast during Channel 4 match coverage, before kickoff.
In a unique competition called ‘England vs Crufts’ hosted by Radzi Chinyanganya, players were paired with a dog, each named after one of their England teammates.
Gallagher was paired with Harry Canine, Gordon with Jack Growlish and Rice was paired with Collie Watkins.
During the footage, the players seemed to have fun as their new four-legged friends put them to the test.
English trio Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher and Declan Rice had some downtime ahead of this summer’s Euros in a one-off competition dubbed ‘England vs Crufts’.
Their new four-legged friends put them to the test in a Crufts-style agility competition.
Each of the dogs were given names inspired by players on the team, with Declan Rice pictured with Jack Growlish.
Rice was partnered with Collie Watkins (pictured) while Gallagher was with Harry Canine.
The trio seemed to be very competitive and each wanted to become the best.
However, one player seemed to have bitten off more than he could chew and there was a clear winner.
Speaking before taking the court, each of the players gave insight into their own dogs, with Rice saying: “He knows a few tricks, when he gets a treat he raises his paws and then lowers his head, and watching him do that is worthy of a treat.
Gordon added: My dogs don’t listen to me at all, unless I have food, but they never listen to me. But they are good, they have good energy.”
Meanwhile, Gallagher gave a brutal assessment of his dog, admitting that he’s “not the smartest” before adding: “He does basic paws and can jump on his two back legs, which is always cute, but he’s not the most intelligent”.
England’s match against Iceland is the last before traveling to Germany for Euro 2024.
The England trio enjoyed their time away from training ahead of their final warm-up match ahead of 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 major role in any success England may have this summer, with Gallagher and Gordon also hoping to contribute to the Three Lions.
Gareth Southgate has confirmed his final 26-man squad for the tournament, with James Maddison, Curtis Jones and Jarrell Quansah among those who dropped out.
The biggest surprises came with the omission of Jack Grealish and Harry Maguire, two England stalwarts under their current head coach.
But Maguire has not played since April and was expected to miss Friday’s final warm-up match against Iceland with a calf problem.
Channel 4 will present England’s final Euro 2024 warm-up match against Iceland on Friday night, with coverage scheduled to begin at 7pm.
