Fighting talk from Wales' well-travelled Price

Three years after making her senior international debut, Wales's Lauren Price is gearing up to captain the hosts at next month's UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship.

"There are so many people talking about it," the 19-year-old told UEFA.com. "It's going to be such a big boost for women's football, especially in Wales. We're all looking forward to the final tournament in August, we can't wait, there's such a buzz among the team."

When the finals do commence on 19 August, Wales will rest easy in the knowledge they possess a prizefighter in their corner. "I was ten years old when I joined a kickboxing club, and from thereon I just loved it," said the Cardiff City LFC defender. "I travelled the world and became four-time world champion, 12-time European champion and four-time British champion.

"Then, at 16, we moved to Manchester for six months, worked with the Great Britain Taekwondo team, lived with Olympic gold medallist Jade Jones, and I came back and got into boxing. I went to Turkey for my second tournament and came away with a silver medal after fighting the world No1. I was winning the fight but it had to be stopped due to a nosebleed. Otherwise I would have come away with gold."

These days, Price packs plenty of punch in the tackle, having learned some valuable lessons from her former art. She added: "I always had a saying when I got in the ring: 'You always have fire in your belly, but ice in your mind.' I take that onto the pitch, so you're eager to win the first tackle, but also have the coolness to play the ball into safe areas."

An intriguing tussle awaits Price and her team-mates in the group stage, with a derby against England on 22 August high on the agenda. "I can't wait and I know the team can't wait, we're all fired up for it," she said. "There's always that rivalry between us and England, whether it be rugby or football, and hopefully after Wales beat England [in the rugby] this year, we'll do the same in football."