WALES C coach Mark Jones said Caernarfon Town have “earned the right” to host their upcoming fixture with England.

All eyes will be on The Oval for the latest semi-professional international on Tuesday, March 24, which represents a significant achievement from a club that has worked tirelessly to improve conditions at their base in recent years.

This resulted in them securing their UEFA Licence earlier this year, and the Cofis’ are the best-supported team in the top-flight drawing crowds of more than 1,000 on a consistent basis.

Jones is more than aware of what a big crowd could do for his side’s overall chances of securing success, with the squad set to be announced in the coming weeks.

He said: “In the same way that the players have to earn the right to wear the shirt, you could argue that Caernarfon have earned the right to host this game, because their fans turn out in higher numbers than anybody, they’re very passionate with their own club, and we hope they will be about this too.

“If you asked most of the players where they would like to play, and the managers and the staff, I’m sure the majority would say ‘bring it on, let’s get it at the Oval, and let’s get the crowd behind us’.

“If we can fill the Oval with all of those passionate supporters then the place will be rocking, and that is key to us putting on a good performance. We want as many Welsh supporters as we can there to get behind the team, and at this level that could be a deciding factor.”

The Welsh side will go into the contest as underdogs once again but can take heart from their two fixtures against the English last year, and Jones is urging anyone selected to show belief.

“We know it’ll be a massive test, because these boys we’re playing against are training every day and ours aren’t, but the desire our squad has shown in the last two games has been tremendous, and it just lifts you to another level and to want to try and get a victory for your country,” he added.

Jones added that five places in the squad are “still up for grabs”, and they can be secured with “good performances” over the next series of matchdays.