MY ACCOUNT
Robert Page wants actor Michael Sheen in the dressing room for Wales’ World Cup opener after his epic pre-game speech went viral.
The Dragons boss admitted that he “wells up” whenever he watches Sheen’s effort, which was broadcast on Sky’s A League of Their Own.
It came after the Hollywood star was asked to give a taste of what his message would be were he giving a speech ahead of the huge clash with England on November 29.
That is the third game of Wales’ first World Cup in 64 years following meetings with the USA and Iran.
And Page admitted the players have been badgering him to get Sheen, 53, involved.
Asked if he wanted him there, Page said: “Absolutely. He is coming to the first game with me!
“I’ve already had messages from the players — they want to get him in straight away.
“When I watched it, I was in awe of it, it was unbelievable. I’ve had some great reaction from the players and the staff.
“When you’ve got the passion to do that, we’ve got to use it to our benefit, absolutely.”
Page also explained how his phone did not stop buzzing during a long drive from Cardiff to Sheffield after the clip took over the internet.
He added: “It’s outstanding. Outstanding. ‘Give them some sugar’. It’s fantastic. I well up every time I watch it.
“I had been in a meeting in Cardiff and I was driving on my way back up north and my phone was going mad, so I knew something significant had happened. Wow. Very emotional.
“Personally I want to thank him for doing that. I do. I want to let him know that I appreciate what he’s done there.
“Because we’re on the map but he’s taken it to another level for us.”
Page, who recently signed a a new four-year deal, has not met Sheen but would like to — and reckons the reaction to the clip shows how strong the sport is in Wales currently.
He added: “Welsh football is in a good place at the moment. I’ve had pals that live in England going, ‘Wow, to be Welsh [must] be unbelievable’.
“They are watching our games going, ‘Why can’t we have that?’ It’s incredible, the atmosphere that we’ve got, that link we’ve got between supporters and the songs.
“I’ve got friends in England going, ‘I’d rather watch your games’.”
Wales return to action next week as they make the trip to Belgium next Thursday before hosting Poland on Sunday.
