Following Wales'  failure in the European Championship play-offs, being drawn alongside England and Northern Ireland will come as a real boost to supporters and manager Mark Hughes. The football legend has committed his future to Wales, despite speculation he was set to take the hot seat at White Hart Lane, and is now likely to be in charge for the entire qualification campaign.

England have once again been drawn in the same group as Poland. The Poles are likely to be main challengers with Wales for the group crown, although it has to be said Sven Goran-Eriksson's side will start off as clear favourites to win the pool.

The Northern Irish had a some what disappointing European qualifying campaign, and only Ulstermen with the best memories can remember the last time the province scored a goal. However, with a new manager likely to be installed in the coming weeks, Northern Ireland can enter the campaign with new-found optimism. Despite a lack of goals, they showed some good performances in the goalless draws with Spain and Ukraine, so the last winners of the home nations tournament could be a dark horses for the group.

As we know, the Wales side will know all about Azerbaijan. An impressive 6 points were taken off the Azers in the Euro 2004 qualifiers, in a campaign that nearly saw the country expelled from the competition for financial irregularities. They are the groups bottom seed, and although they are not exactly world-beaters, an away trip to Baku won't be one relished by any of the British sides or their supporters.

There will be a big question mark over whether the unpredictable Austrians will be a force in the group. The technically gifted third seeds have had a tough time in recent campaigns, but they should not be underestimated with an intimidating atmosphere to be expected in the heart of the alps.

With Wales having not faced England in 19 years, there is a large possibility of crowd trouble for the game. Hopefully this can be avoided, and the game will be a good advert for the British game. If the games go well, it may result in a re-think on the return of the home nations tournament, last won by Northern Ireland!

As for Neil Alexander, the Scots have been drawn in group 5. The City shot stopper can look forward to warming the bench of the stands against Slovenia, Norway, Belarus, Moldova and the mighty Italians in a pool that looks tough for Bertie Vogts' side. With Italy clear favourites to win the group, the other 5 sides are all likely to be aiming for second spot, with every game looking tricky for the Tartan Army.

Should Graham Kavanagh and Alan Lee be involved for the Republic of Ireland, they will be up against France, Switzerland, Cyprus, Israel and Faroe Islands. Re-matches of the Euro 2004 qualifiers against Switzerland are likely to decide whether or not Ireland fans will be booking their tickets for Germany come 2006.

The complete draw for the European section is as follows (British nations bolded):

Group 1
Czech Republic
Netherlands
Romania
Finland
FYR Macedonia
Armenia
Andorra

Group 2
Turkey
Denmark
Greece
Ukraine
Georgia
Albania
Kazakhstan

Group 3
Portugal
Russia
Slovakia
Latvia
Estonia
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg

Group 4
France
Republic of Ireland
Switzerland
Israel
Cyprus
Faroe Islands

Group 5
Italy
Slovenia
SCOTLAND
Norway
Belarus
Moldova

Group 6
ENGLAND
Poland
Austria
WALES
NORTHERN IRELAND
Azerbaijan

Group 7
Spain
Belgium
Serbia and Montenegro
Bosnia
Lithuania
San Marino

Group 8
Sweden
Croatia
Bulgaria
Iceland
Hungary
Malta

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