Preview: Ireland look to upset odds and boost morale

The build-up to the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2025 qualifier against England in Norwich has been bookended by an explosive controversy and a high-profile announcement that's ultimately made things feel decidedly low key.

Shockwaves are still rippling after last weekend's RTÉ/Sunday Independent investigation into alleged unwanted or inappropriate sexual advances on former players from FAI coaches in the 1990s.

Current head coach Eileen Gleeson said the programme was "awful to watch", and revealed the squad had discussed it before starting preparations for tonight's clash.

"In terms of it being a difficult week for football, it's a difficult week for women and girls as well in football," she told RTÉ Sport’s Tony O’Donoghue.

"For me personally, it was awful to watch and to listen to the girls recount their experience."

This game has been further overshadowed by Wednesday's announcement that Heimir Hallgrimsson is the new boss of the men's senior team, with the Icelandic 57-year-old facing the media for the first time yesterday at the Aviva Stadium.

The surprise arrival of the former Jamaica and Iceland boss dominates the back pages this morning, with the Girls in Green's latest challenge bumped down the billing.

FAI interim CEO David Courell said the announcement had to come in the middle of the women's international window "due to a range of factors". But there's no doubt the timing is unfortunate.

For England, it's party time. The country has been gripped by Euro 2024 fever after Gareth Southgate's men made it to this Sunday's final, while Carrow Road is a sellout for the women's game with over 27,000 supporters expected to come through the turnstiles.

It's no dead rubber either, certainly not from England's point of view. They