There are sure to be fireworks when Kenny Swain’s Young Lions take on Northern Ireland in the Victory Shield on 5 November. Swain’s youngsters have dominated this competition in recent years, winning the previous eight, but Northern Ireland pose a big threat and they’ll have to work hard to protect their crown.

In October, Kenny Swain will take his new crop of England U16 players to Huish Park, home of Yeovil Town FC, where they will face Wales in the first match of this season’s Victory Shield. This annual British Championship provides a platform for young players to test themselves at international level and England will be looking to maintain their dominance of the competition, having won the Shield for the previous eight years.