Declan Rice will drink his first ever pint of beer if England win the Euros - but will probably spit it out!

England Training Session - St George's Park - Wednesday June 9th
PA
Tom Doyle10 June 2021

If England win Euro 2020, then Declan Rice will be toasting success with his first ever pint of beer... but don’t be surprised if he ends up spitting it out.

Rice looks set to start England’s Group D opener against Croatia on Sunday, with the West Ham midfielder becoming a key player for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions.

Rice swtiched allegiance from the Republic of Ireland, with whom he won the last of three senior caps in June 2018 - and later that month he was cheering on the Three Lions at a giant fanzone in Dubai as they kicked off their unforgettable run to the World Cup semi-finals.

Videos of fans throwing beer in the air at such venues went viral during the tournament... but Rice was never going to be among those launching pints.

“Do you know what, until this day I have never had a beer and I am 22! That is the truth,” he said, smiling. “Never had a pint. Don’t drink it.

England Pre-Euro 2020 Training Camp
The FA via Getty Images

“Not really (a drinker). But a pint? No. I know it is off topic but I have never had a beer. People get surprised. I just don’t like the smell of it so I have never gone near it.”

Asked if he will have a beer if England win the Euros, Rice said: “Yes. I will give it a try - but I will probably spit it out!

“Honestly, the World Cup was buzzing. I remember watching the Panama game, the Tunisia game, Sweden game. It was incredible.

“The singing before the game, the national anthem. Just being a part of it. I was a fan for that tournament so to be part of this tournament is unbelievable.”

Rice was only making his way in the game with West Ham during the 2018 World Cup - a time when he says his decision to switch from Ireland “was done”.

Now, he is at England’s base in the brewing town of Burton with 19 caps to his name and playing with his best friend Mason Mount.

England Training Session
The FA via Getty Images

“I was speaking about it yesterday to Mase when we got handed the legacy caps,” he said. “The journey we have both been on together. It is incredible.

“We are 22 and about to represent our country at a major tournament. We both cannot wait for it to come round.

“Obviously growing up watching England in tournaments as well, you just feel the proper buzz, the effects and the desire of the country for the players to do well.

In Pictures | Euro 2020: England training | Wednesday 9th June 2021

England Training Session - St George's Park - Wednesday June 9th
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“It was like that, even in Dubai. There were thousands of English fans. You see when (Kieran) Trippier scored, all the fanzones in England going crazy. That’s what I want to be a part of now.

“I just can’t wait to experience this and just get the real buzz and excitement of the tournament.”

Additional reporting by PA.

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