If John Toshack, the manager, appears to blood his youngsters a shade early on the international stage, Wales are certainly reaping the benefit. Not only are his starlets gaining valuable experience against leading opposition, but players such as Chris Gunter and Gareth Bale, with Tottenham Hotspur, have secured lucrative moves and contracts on the back of their exposure at the highest level.

“After playing for Wales, a few of the lads have joined massive clubs for big money because of John giving them an opportunity,” Dean Saunders, the Wales assistant manager, said yesterday. “He has taken a lot of criticism for what he is doing, but he has done brilliantly for all of them. ”

Toshack is in charge of the youngest Wales squad in history - average age: 21 years and five months - for the friendly against Denmark in Brondby tomorrow evening. Aaron Ramsey, the 17-year-old Arsenal midfield player, is expected to win his first senior cap.