Sarina Wiegman and Lauren Hemp faced the press ahead of Friday's EURO 2025 qualifier against Republic of Ireland at Carrow Road.

Wiegman revealed her thoughts ahead of the game, while Norfolk-born Hemp discussed returning to Norwich, where it all began.

Here is what they had to say in full.

Wiegman on preparation for the game…

"It's another very important game in our journey to qualify for the EUROs. We want to improve our game too and of course Republic of Ireland have been challenging all the teams in this group so we expect them to be really tough again tomorrow. We approach every game to win. We want to play well and control the game.

"We got some good preparation in the Netherlands last week. We wanted to build some volume, get everyone back up to speed, because after some time off you have to get back in it. That's what we did and of course we have to get ready for these two games now. We have been able to work on little tweaks in our game."

Wiegman on Republic of Ireland player Megan Campbell's long throw…

"It is something very different she can bring, I would say they are more dangerous than corners. We have prepared for that. We want to keep the ball ourselves and make sure it's us winning the throw-ins. Tomorrow is an important game. We want to produce good results and be in the best position for Sweden on Tuesday. We want to dominate the game."

Wiegman on playing at Carrow Road…

"It's nice to play here. We've played here once before in the Arnold Cup against Spain and it's nice to be back. The pitch looks really good so I'm really looking forward to tomorrow when it's sold out and hopefully we can give everyone a very good evening."

Wiegman on England's men reaching the final of EURO 2024…

"We all know football worldwide is the biggest sport but in England it's from a different level since I came in. It's so in the society and so deep and people support so much. It's incredible and I would never take it for granted. The whole country should be very proud of the England men in this moment. It's not easy to do. It's good to be English at the moment and we look forward to the game on Sunday."

Hemp on the Republic of Ireland…

"It's going to be a big game. It's not going to be easy but we're really looking forward to it. We know what they're going to bring. We're all experienced in high pressure games and know what it takes to win. We don't like the feeling of losing. It's been a good few weeks of training and we're looking forward to the game. We always want to win."

Hemp on returning to Norfolk…

"It's very special for me. I wasn't surprised when I saw it was sold out. I've been here before with a packed-out Carrow Road and the atmosphere's been incredible so I can't wait. Norwich holds a special place in my heart and I had to move away at the age of 16 to chase my dream but now it's amazing to be able to come back and see how many girls teams there are that weren't there when I was younger. Hopefully there are lots of little Lauren Hemps there tomorrow."

Republic of Ireland in profile

Match Stats

● England have won all seven of their previous meetings with the Republic of Ireland by an aggregate score of 30-1, only holding a better 100 per cent record against Northern Ireland (12/12) and Austria (10/10).

● Republic of Ireland have conceded four or more times on all three of their previous away trips to face England with this their first such visit since April 1986, losing 4-0 at Elm Park in a European Championship qualifier.

● Since conceding in their first ever meeting with the Republic of Ireland in May 1978, England have recorded six clean sheets in a row against the Girls in Green, only ever going more consecutive games without conceding against Scotland (nine games, 1989 – 2001), Northern Ireland (eight games, 1986 – 2022) and Austria eight games, 2006-2022).

● England lost 2-1 in their most recent home game against France in May, suffering just their second such loss under Sarina Wiegman (W15 D6); they haven’t lost back-to-back matches on home soil since losing each of Phil Neville’s final three home games in charge of the Lionesses in 2019.

● After winning each of their final six games of 2023, the Republic of Ireland have failed to win all six of their games in 2024, losing each of the last five (D1) – it’s their worst losing streak since June 2021 (7 in a row).

● England have opened the scoring in each of their last seven matches (W5 D1 L1), their longest such run since doing so in each of Sarina Wiegman’s first seven games in charge between September 2021 and February 2022 (W6 D1).

● The Republic of Ireland remain one of just three teams yet to score in EURO 2025 qualifying along with Kosovo and Cyprus - their first shot on target in each of their previous four matches of the campaign hasn’t come until the 83rd minute or later.

● Sarina Wiegman has won 38 of her 51 games in charge of England and her next win will move her outright second for the most victories in the Lionesses’ history, behind only Hope Powell (85 – Mark Sampson also 38).

● Lauren Hemp has assisted each of England’s last three goals in European Championship qualifying whilst her 19 total assists since her international debut in October 2019 is the joint-most for the Lionesses in that period (level with Beth Mead).

● Alessio Russo has been directly involved in five goals in her last six appearances for England (four goals, one assist) whilst she is the only Lioness to score more than once in this current European Championship qualifying campaign (two goals).

England Squad News

Ticket Information

How to watch or stream

Alessia Russo and Georgia Stanway boosted England chances of automatic EURO 2025 qualification with a vital 2-1 win over Republic of Ireland at a sold-out Carrow Road.

Stanway’s second-half penalty proved decisive but it was a night of collective effort that secured the Lionesses' first home win of the qualifying campaign. 

Russo gave England the lead inside five minutes, firing in from Beth Mead’s defence-splitting pass down the inside right channel.

Ireland scored a consolation in the 94th minute through Julie-Ann Russell, with what proved to be the last kick of the game.

England made a bright start and piled on the pressure from the first whistle and Russo’s strike meant the Lionesses have opened the scoring in eight successive matches.

However, neither team settled after Russo’s goal, and the scoreline remained 1-0 until the half-time whistle sounded.

Wiegman made a double defensive change after the break, as Millie Bright and Niamh Charles replaced Jess Carter and Leah Williamson, but England struggled to find their usual tempo in wet conditions.

Jess Park, who had a superb game, set up a big chance for Russo in the 50th minute, nutmegging Ruesha Littejohn but Russo was unable to finish.

But England soon had a penalty when Ireland’s Niamh Fahey who, dispossessed by Lauren Hemp in front of the goal, had no choice but to pull her down.

England’s designated penalty-taker Stanway was composed when she stepped up to the mark and wrong-footed Courntey Barnes to find the net.

The absence of goalkeeper Mary Earps saw 23-year-old Hannah Hampton step up to the mark and she saved a crucial cross-cum-shot from Aofie Mannion just moments after England’s penalty.

The reigning European champions managed to hold off a late Irish comeback as 33-year-old Russell swivelled on the edge of six-yard box to hook home against the flow of play.

England have now won nine of their 13 matches since losing to Spain in the 2023 World Cup final, while the Girls in Green prop up the bottom of the table of Group A3 without a point.

England sit second in the table just behind France, with a total of 10 points to Les Bleues' 12, and will now prepare for a trip to Sweden on Tuesday.

England: 1 Hannah Hampton (Chelsea), 2 Maya Le Tissier (Manchester United), 5 Leah Williamson (Arsenal), 6 Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), 3 Jess Carter (Chelsea), 8 Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), 4 Kiera Walsh (Barcelona), 10 Jess Park (Manchester City), 11 Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), 9 Alessia Russo (Arsenal), 7 Bethany Mead (Arsenal)

Substitutes: 13 Mary Earps (PSG), 21 Khiara Keating (Manchester City), 12 Lucy Bronze, 14 Fran Kirby (Brighton & Hove Albion), 15 Millie Bright (Chelsea), 16 Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), 17 Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea), 18 Grace Clinton (Manchester United), 19 Niamh Charles (Chelsea), 20 Jess Naz (Tottenham Hotspur), 22 Esme Morgan (Washington Spirit), 23 Millie Turner (Manchester Unietd)

Goals: Russo 5’, Stanway 57’ (pen)

Coach: Sarina Wiegman

Republic of Ireland: 1 Courtney Brosnan, 14 Caitlin Hayes, 5 Niamh Fahey, 12 Anna Patten, 13 Aofie Mannion, 8 Ruesha Littlejohn, 10 Denise O’Sullivan (c) , 11 Jess Ziu, 17 Lily Agg, 9 Amber Barrett, 21 Emily Murphy

Substitutes: 16 Grace Moloney, 23 Sophie Whitehouse, 2 Jessie Stapleton, 3 Megan Campbell, 4 Louise Quinn, 6 Megan Connolly, 7 Julie-Ann Russell, 15 Tyler Toland, 18 Marissa Sheva, 19 Abbie Larkin, 20 Leanne Kiernan, 22 Isibeal Atkinson

Goals: Russell 90+4’

Yellow cards: Fahey 55’, Kiernan 81’

Coach: Eileen Gleeson