Where Are They Now - England U21's vs France U21's From 2005

Just over 11 years ago, England under 21's managed to scrape a draw in the first leg of their European Championship play-off against France, after Newcastle United prospect Darren Ambrose rescued a point in front of a record 34,491 crowd.

England U21 boss Peter Taylor was delighted with the draw as the likes of Ryan Taylor, Michael Dawson, Tom Huddlestone and Carlton Cole featured against a very talented France side, minus Julien Faubert.

Anthony Le Tallec, who was once dubbed the next Zinedine Zidane, put the visitors ahead with a vital away goal when he bagged two minutes into the second half, as Franck Ribery and Jimmy Briand, who was once rated highly on Football Manager, starred for France.

Looking back on both sides, it's interesting to see how these young players turned out.

From Gael Clichy to Peter Whittingham, most of these guys have produced great things for a respected club. MOST.

England U21 side from November, 2005:

- Scott Carson (Now at Derby County)
- Ryan Taylor (Now at Port Vale)
- Peter Whittingham (Now at Cardiff City)
- Michael Dawson (Now at Hull City)
- Anton Ferdinand (Now at Southend United)
- Tom Huddlestone (Now at Hull City)
- James Milner (Now at Liverpool)
- Darren Ambrose (Retired)
- Carlton Cole (Now at Sacramento Republic)
- Darren Bent (Now at Derby County)
- Kieran Richardson.(Now at Cardiff City)

Subs Not Used:

- Nedum Onuoha (Now at Queens Park Rangers)
- Lee Camp (Now at Rotherham United)
- Curtis Davies (Now at Hull City)
- Justin Hoyte (Free agent)
- John Welsh (Now at Preston North End)
- Luke Moore (Free agent)
- Dean Ashton (Retired)

France U21 side from November, 2005:

- Jeremy Gavanon (Now at Cannes)
- Bacary Sagna (Now at Manchester City)
- Gael Clichy (Now at Manchester City)
- Ronald Zubar (Now at New York Red Bulls)
- Jean-Michel Badiane (Retired)
- Rio Mavuba (Now at Lille)
- Julien Faubert (Now at Kilmarnock)
- Jeremy Toulalan (Now at Bordeaux)
- Jimmy Briand (Now at Guingamp)
- Franck Ribery (Now at Bayern Munich)
- Anthony Le Tallec (Now at Atromitos FC)

Subs Not Used:

- Steve Mandanda (Now at Crystal Palace)
- Jacques Faty: (Now at Central Coast Mariners)
- Nicolas Fauverge (Now at Paris FC)
- Sinama Pongolle (Now at Chainat Hornbill)
- Gregory Bourillon (Now at Angers)
- Etienne Didot (Now at Guingamp)

Florent Sinama Pongolle, what a hero.

Featured Image Credit:

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_