James Collins reckons Wales would have reached the final of Euro 2016 had he not played in the semi-final.

Chris Coleman’s side shocked international football with their stunning run to the last four in France, topping a group which contained England and beating a much-fancied Belgium side in the quarter-finals before running into Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.

Wales were hamstrung for that showdown in Lyon after losing influential pair Aaron Ramsey and Ben Davies through suspension, with Collins replacing Davies in defence. Those absentees were felt as goals from Ronaldo and Nani early in the second half sent Portugal through to the final, where they beat the hosts after extra-time.

More than eight years on, Collins, 37, who retired in 2020, has reflected on an incredible month in France and believes Wales would have made the final with Ramsey and Davies in the side. He said: “Now I can say it, because I’ve finished, I think there’s a world where we make the Euro 2016 final.

“When you look back at us heading into that tournament, nobody expected us to get there. Then, all of a sudden, we were in the semi-final. Looking back at that game, it was the only game I played in that tournament. I played in it because Ben Davies was suspended, and Aaron Ramsey was also suspended for it.

“I genuinely think now, looking back, that if Ben had played – I know I played in his place, and I was delighted to – and if Aaron had played, we had such a roll going with that team, I think if we would have beat Portugal and got to the final.