‘Someone who has actually won something in an England shirt!’ Jules Breach playfully teases golden generation pundits Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole with her cheeky introduction of Euros-winning Jill Scott during Italy v England coverage
- The former England internationals were put in their place before the match
- Scott earnt 161 caps during a career which ended after Euros success
- Gerrard cheekily wondered if Breach was hinting at Scott’s reality TV stint
Channel 4 host Jules Breach poked lighthearted fun at her punditry team on Thursday evening ahead of the kick-off as England faced Italy in Naples.
Welcoming viewers at the start of the coverage, Breach introduced former Three Lions team-mates Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole, before prefixing her introduction of England international Jill Scott with a cheeky addition.
Breach mocked the pair, who have 170 international caps between them, after first referring to them as members of England’s ‘golden generation’.
The presenter teased: ‘I’m here alongside two members of the England golden generation.’
She paused, adding: ‘And someone who has actually won something in an England shirt, Jill Scott!’
Jill Scott’s achievements at Euro 2022 were lauded in Jules Breach’s introduction of the three Channel 4 pundits
Breach (foreground) set the cat amongst the pigeons with her cheeky introduction that prompted laughter from Steven Gerrard (L) and Joe Cole (R)
The pointed compliment prompted laughter from all three pundits, with Joe Cole cringing lightly at how ‘cruel’ the set up was.
Scott, who retired following her role in England’s heroic Euro 2022 victory, garned 161 caps for the national team, and appeared at no fewer than nine major tournaments in her storied career.
Gerrard, who captained England between 2012 and 2014, tried to get his own back by attempting to clarify that Breach wasn’t referring to Scott’s post-retirement stint on I’m a Celebrity, where she was crowned Queen of the Jungle.
But the former Manchester City player was quick to retort: ‘That’s fine, I’ll just take the Euros, that’s fine!’
In her next move, Scott will take up the captain’s armband for England’s XI at this year’s Soccer Aid in June.
Cole has taken part in the charity competition fixture in aid of UNICEF four times, between 2019 and 2022.
Banter continued to flow between the four hosts of the coverage, but after the match, conversation was firmly focused on the quality of the players that secured England’s 2-1 victory.
The historic win in Naples marked the first victory for the Three Lions that has come on Italian soil since 1961, and has sent them shooting straight to the top of qualifying Group C ahead of next year’s Euros.
The former Rangers and Aston Villa manager was pitchside on duty for Channel 4
Cole, who received 56 caps during his international career, was tickled by the reference
After the match Joe Cole praised the performance of opening goalscorer Declan Rice
Former Chelsea player Cole had high praise for his old club’s long-range midfield target Declan Rice, calling him ‘the best player on the pitch by a mile.’
He added: ‘If it’s a centre-forward, we’re talking about instinct. He was outstanding from start to finish.’
Rice’s opening goal for England will have sent a pertinent message to his critics, including Sportsmail columnist Graeme Souness, who had previously called the England international a limited player.
England have the opportunity to shore up their hold at the top of the qualifying group on Sunday, when they face Ukraine at Wembley.
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