MARSEILLE: Roy Hodgson's England enter the fray at Euro 2016 on Saturday bidding to end a 50-year wait for a major title and hoping their fans are not involved in more clashes.
England take on Russia in Marseille where beer-swilling English hooligans have fought with police for two nights in scenes reminiscent of the 1998 World Cup in France.
Real Madrid star Gareth Bale will lead Wales' debut European Championships appearance against Slovakia, while there will be the rare sight of brothers going head-to-head as Arsenal's new recruit Granit Xhaka faces older sibling Taulant when Switzerland play Albania on the first full day of action.
France struggled to get past Romania in the tournament curtainraiser on Friday until Dimitri Payet's wonderful 25-metre strike handed the host nation a 2-1 victory.
Attention now turns to England, the only team to win all 10 qualifying matches and there is optimism that a new-look Three Lions could shock favourites Germany, Spain and France.
Premier League top-scorer Harry Kane is expected to lead the line. But Leicester City's title-winning hero Jamie Vardy may have to settle for a place on the bench to make way for captain and England's all-time record goalscorer, Wayne Rooney.
Hodgson made no direct comment on the scenes of tattooed fans brawling with police and Russian fans in Marseille for a second day on Friday.
Officials said seven arrests were made and riot police spent the rest of the night keeping a close eye on hundreds of beer-sodden fans.
Hodgson said his mind was focused on the match at the Stade Velodrome and his side are anxious to start the campaign.
"As far as we're concerned, tomorrow can't come soon enough," Hodgson said.
"We are fully aware of what a good team Russia are, we're aware of their experience and of their quality."
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