Rhian Wilkinson braced to battle for 'legacy' as Wales head to Ireland

BATTLE: Rhian Wilkinson during a Wales women press conference at the Aviva Stadium. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.

Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson is expecting no gifts from the Republic of Ireland in their winner-takes-all play-off to determine who books a trip to next summer's Euros.

Both teams are hoping to qualify for the European Championships for the first time, and it has all come down tonight's encounter in front of an expected 25,000 fans at Aviva Stadium.

"We know Ireland in every way will be a battle," Wilkinson said.

"There's nothing that will be given to us, and we will receive nothing for free. When you have opponents like that, you always have to prepare for more than 90 minutes, and potentially the eventuality of penalties.

"You have two equal teams, two teams that are so clear on their mandate of leaving football in a better place, and the legacy, to have that opportunity in two wonderful stadiums to battle it out for a chance to represent their country at a major tournament, what a moment."

Wales captain Angharad James said: "The group's in a good place mentally, physically. It's not just about the 23, 24 players that have travelled with us in the squad.

"This has been from players before us who have helped us get to this point, and we're just the fortunate ones to be able to take the field and hopefully create history in Wales."

It is also all to play for in Helsinki after the first play-off leg between Scotland and Finland in Edinburgh ended in a goalless draw.

Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa said: "We did well with the dirty part of the game at Easter Road.

"That's a great credit to the team, not conceding a goal. We expect a little bit more on the ball but it's not as simple in this type of game.

"It's going to be a similar pattern for both teams in the next game. We are going to need just one opportunity to win the game in Finland."

Captain Caroline Weir said: "It's still all to play for. There are some things to learn from and go into Tuesday. I think overall we have to be positive.

"The support was great. We have time to reset, refocus and recover. It's a quick turnaround, I think it's a challenge but one that we're ready for."

Northern Ireland have a tougher task ahead of them after losing their Inver Park first leg 4-0 to Norway.