Wales unveiled their secret weapon as they prepared to face Finland – actor Rhys Ifans.
The House of the Dragon star who made his name in movies such as Twin Town, Notting Hill, and The Amazing Spider-Man, delivered the performance of his life with a stunning motivational speech to the Wales squad.
Joining the players on Monday night at their Vale of Glamorgan base he stood before the assembled squad and left them in awe with a rallying cry that took in Welsh history, culture and the Welsh players’ place in the pantheon of Cymru greats.
The Football Association of Wales had previously invited Michael Sheen into the camp in September 2022 ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, where he gave an extended version of his monumental ‘Sons of Speed’ speech from TV show ‘A League of Their Own’, which went viral with millions of views.
Taking up the mantle, Rhys Ifans mined raw passion and Welsh hwyl, reminding the players of the nation’s tumultuous history and how they represented those of us here and those who came before.
His voice trembling with emotion he said: “No one and nothing have done it to the extent that you have done it and are doing it. There have been poets and actors and politicians and rock ‘n’ rollers, but no one and nothing unifies us in the way you do and make us feel safe to show our hopes and dreams. They live in you.”
As his final heartfelt words faded, there was a huge round of applause from the Welsh squad and backroom staff who seemed taken aback and genuinely moved by the powerful speech, so eloquently delivered by one of Wales’ greatest actors.
Ifans spent time sitting and talking, laughing and joking with the squad. He also sat down for a meal with the players, however we cannot confirm or deny that there were hot dogs for tea.
He then happily posed for pictures with everybody and was overjoyed when presented with his own shirt with his name on the back signed by the players.
If words and passion are the lingua franca of football, then Wales are the richest team on earth.
Da iawn Rhys Ifans. Da iawn indeed.
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Head Coach Robert Page with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Head Coach Robert Page with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Head Coach Robert Page with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Head Coach Robert Page with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Public Relations Ian Gwyn Hughes with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Public Relations Ian Gwyn Hughes with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Public Relations Ian Gwyn Hughes with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Public Relations Ian Gwyn Hughes with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Rhys Ifans talks withe the squad during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Rhys Ifans talks withe the squad during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Rhys Ifans talks withe the squad during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Ben Davies, Wales’ Connor Roberts and Wales’ Joe Rodon with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Ben Davies, Wales’ Connor Roberts and Wales’ Joe Rodon with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Morgan Fox watches Rhys Ifans talk during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Jay Dasilva watches Rhys Ifans talk during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Ben Davies, Wales’ Joe Rodon and Wales’ Connor Roberts with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Ben Davies, Wales’ Joe Rodon and Wales’ Connor Roberts with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Connor Roberts with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Rubin Colwill as Rhys Ifans talks to the team during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ goalkeeper Tom King with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
Rhys Ifans addressing the team before the Finland game. Photo John Smith/FAW
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Neco Williams, Wales’ Brennan Johnson and Wales’ Chris Mepham with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Joe Rodon with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Ben Davies with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Neco Williams with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Aaron Ramsey and Wales’ goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Morgan Fox with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Rubin Colwill with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Head Coach Robert Page with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Head Coach Robert Page with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Ben Davies with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Connor Roberts with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Connor Roberts with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Joe Rodon with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Aaron Ramsey with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Aaron Ramsey with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Aaron Ramsey with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Aaron Ramsey and Wales’ goalkeeper Danny Ward with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Aaron Ramsey and Wales’ goalkeeper Danny Ward with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024:Wales’ Aaron Ramsey with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Aaron Ramsey with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales medical team with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Sports Science Peter Sharp and Wales’ Sports Science Ronan Kavanagh with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Media Officer Owain Harries, Wales’ Media Officer Melissa Palme, FAW TV Videographer Nathan William, Wales’ Team Operations Siobhan Humphrey, Wales’ Whereabouts Officer Alex Christmas and Wales’ Public Relations Ian Gwyn Hughes with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Media Officer Owain Harries, Wales’ Media Officer Melissa Palme, FAW TV Videographer Nathan William, Wales’ Team Operations Siobhan Humphrey, Wales’ Whereabouts Officer Alex Christmas and Wales’ Public Relations Ian Gwyn Hughes with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Public Relations Ian Gwyn Hughes with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Public Relations Ian Gwyn Hughes with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Team Photographer John Smith with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Team Photographer John Smith with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Ben Davies with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Ben Davies with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Ethan Ampadu, Wales’ Connor Roberts and Wales’ Ben Davies with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Ethan Ampadu, Wales’ Connor Roberts and Wales’ Ben Davies with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Ethan Ampadu, Wales’ Connor Roberts and Wales’ Ben Davies with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Connor Roberts and Wales’ Ben Davies with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Connor Roberts with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Connor Roberts with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Connor Roberts and Wales’ Ben Davies with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Connor Roberts and Wales’ Ben Davies with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Aaron Ramsey with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Connor Roberts with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Connor Roberts with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Ben Davies and Wales’ Joe Rodon with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ Ben Davies and Wales’ Joe Rodon with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024:Wales’ Ethan Ampadu with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
PONTYCLUN, WALES – 18 MARCH 2024: Wales’ goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey with Rhys Ifans during a team dinner at the Vale Resort ahead of the up coming European Championship play-off semi-final game against Finland at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 21st of March 2024 (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
Does Martin know Rhys is cutting in on his turf?
A lovely heartfelt speech.
I was crying watching that
Extraordinarily powerful speech by one of many who are so passionate about their Welshness. My description feels woefully inadequate.