The Joke Which Led To Hal Robson-Kanu Representing Wales Revealed

Wales face Portugal tonight for a place in the Euro 2016 final (!!) Competing in their first major European tournament hasn't fazed Chris Coleman's men as they have knocked out Northern Ireland and the star-studded Belgium en route to the semi-finals.

Wales have produced heroic performances thus far with Gareth Bale garnering plenty of attention, though free-agent Hal Robson-Kanu has emerged as one of the stars of the tournament after scoring two goals in their last four games including that wonder-goal against 'The Red Devil's'.

Yet, it has been revealed that his international career began as a training ground joke. Despite representing the England under-19's and 20's, the 27-year-old opted to represent Wales for the senior side.

Ex-Wales coach Brian Flynn recollected a visit to Reading where former player Glen Little jokingly shouted towards Robson-Kanu; "He can play for Wales because he goes on holiday there!"

What transpired next is the part of the reason why the Welsh are running rampant in the Euro's.

Flynn approached the frontman where his family heritage was divulged; "He told me: 'I do go on holiday to Wales. We take our caravan from Basingstoke, and on the way down we pick up our grandmother in Caerphilly, and then on to Tenby. And that struck a note, obviously. I said: 'Does your grandma live in Caerphilly?' He said: 'No, she was born there,' and that's how it came about." He told BBC Radio 5 Live.

The 60-year-old continued by claiming it took time tempting him to don the Welsh shirt, but his persistence was eventually rewarded.

"I haven't seen you play yet Hal so you haven't passed the football test yet. So as soon as I could, I watched Hal and he passed the football test. So I went back down to Hogwood Park to ask him if he'd consider playing for Wales. It took me 12 months to persuade him but thankfully he turned round and said he wanted to do it."

Incredible story. Can he get on the score-sheet again, heck, will they go all the way? Next up: Ronaldo and Co.

(H/T mirror.co.uk)

Topics: Euro 2016, Wales

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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