England pitted against Wales

The Euro 2016 draw on Saturday pitted England against Wales and Germany against Poland in two spotlight groups at the championships.

The British nations who have never met at an international tournament will clash in Group B -- playing each other at Lens on June 16. The group also features Russia and Slovakia.

"England, Slovakia and Russia! Will be incredible, bring it on!!" said Wales defender Ben Davies on Twitter as he launched the countdown to the crunch Group B match between the British nations at Lens on June 16.

England manager Roy Hodgson paid tribute to the work of his Wales counterpart Chris Coleman in lifting the principality.

"We are very pleased Wales have done so well, and whichever of the teams we got in that pot, it would be tough. Why not have a tough one close to home?" Hodgson told the BBC.

"We know all the Wales players -- almost all of them play in England. But what we know most of all is the team is very organised, they have a strong spirit and a good spine.

"In Aaron Ramsey, Ashley Williams and Gareth Bale, they have three really top-class players. We have a lot of respect for Wales."

"Whatever team we got from pot four it would have been tough, so we might as well play someone close to home.

"Russia and Slovakia will be interesting. I have not come across either of those two teams in my international management before.

Coleman said: "It's going to a great game between two good teams. To win 10 games like they (England) did in the qualifying campaign is a fantastic return.

"England are one of the best teams, but we're looking forward to it. When you get to a tournament, it's that 90 minutes and you've got to get it right."

Bale, who scored seven goals in qualifying, wrote on Twitter: "Tough @UEFAEURO draw but cannot wait to get to France, all starting to sink in now!"

Ramsey said he was already looking forward to the clash with their old rivals, tweeting: "All getting very real now the draw has been made. Can't wait to face England."

England striker Harry Kane struck a similar note, posting a picture of England's group on Twitter and asking his followers: "Who's looking forward to the summer already?"

World Cup winners Germany head Group C and will have to take on Poland -- who they also faced in qualifying -- Northern Ireland and Ukraine.

Poland and Germany each won one game during their qualifying campaign battles for the tournament in France next year.

Defending champions Spain will have to take on Czech Republic, Turkey and Croatia in Group D.

Group E could be the most difficult to get one of the top two places however with Belgium and Italy taking on Republic of Ireland and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Sweden.

"A hard but great group for Belgium," said Manchester City and Belgium skipper Vincent Kompany on Twitter. "The atmosphere in those games will be incredible."

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal will take on Iceland, Austria and Hungary in Group F.

Hosts France play the tournament's curtain raiser on June 10 against Group A opponents Romania. They will also have to face Albania and Switzerland.

The final is on July 10 at the Stade de France in Paris.