Euro 2016: Spain the most experienced squad, England one of the least

By Charlotte Marsh

Image: Current European champions Spain have the most experienced squad at this year's competition

Spain have the most experienced squad at Euro 2016 - but England's players have the second lowest total of average caps.

The current European champions have an average of 45.8 caps per player - 3.5 more than players in the Republic of Ireland camp, the next most experienced squad.  

The 23-man Spain contingent includes four of the country's top 10 most-capped players: captain Iker Casillas (166), Sergio Ramos (131), Andreas Iniesta (107) and Cesc Fabrgas (103).

Average caps of the Euro 2016 teams

Country Average caps
Spain 45.8
Rep. Ireland 42.3
Germany 41.6
Ukraine 37.8
Czech Republic 36.1
Slovakia 36.0
Sweden 35.6
Portugal 35.4
Belgium 33.5
Russia 33.4
Croatia 33.3
Northern Ireland 33.0
Italy 32.4
Austria 31.4
Wales 31.3
Switzerland 31.1
Iceland 30.5
France 29.9
Hungary 29.6
Turkey 28.7
Poland 28.7
Albania 23.3
England 22.2
Romania 21.9

World Cup winners Germany are the only other squad with an average of over 40 caps per player.

At the other end of the scale, Romania will field the most inexperienced squad at the Euros (21.9 caps per player), while Roy Hodgson's men hold an average of just 22.2 caps.

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England take the youngest squad to Euro 2016, including the likes of 18-year-old Marcus Rashford, capped once, and 20-year-old Dele Alli, who has made eight appearances for his country.

While captain Wayne Rooney holds the highest number of caps among England's current squad (111), James Milner and Joe Hart are the only other players in the 23-man squad to have over 50 international appearances.

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England players board their plane as they fly out to France for Euro 2016

Northern Ireland's squad for their maiden European Championships has an average of exactly 33 caps per man, while Wales - also playing their first tournament - have an average of 31.3.

Aaron Hughes became the highest-capped outfield player for Northern Ireland against Slovakia last week - reaching 100 appearances - while defender Chris Gunter is the 10th most capped player for Wales with 66 international appearances.

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