Jules Breach teases Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole in Jill Scott introduction during England coverage
‘Someone who’s actually won something in an England shirt!’: Jules Breach taunts pundits Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole with a cheeky introduction by Euro Cup winner Jill Scott during Channel 4’s coverage of England’s triumph 2-0 over Italy
- The former England internationals were put in their place before the match
- Scott earned 161 caps during a career that ended after success at the Euros.
- Gerrard cheekily wondered if Breach was hinting at Scott’s reality season
Channel 4 presenter Jules Breach gleefully taunted his team of pundits on Thursday night before kick-off as England took on Italy in Naples.
Welcoming viewers at the start of the coverage, Breach introduced former Three Lions teammates Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole, before prefacing his introduction of England international Jill Scott with a cheeky addition.
Breach mocked the pair, who have 170 caps between them, after first referring to them as members of England’s ‘golden generation’.
The presenter joked: “I’m here with two members of England’s golden generation.”
He paused, adding: “And someone who actually won something in an England shirt, Jill Scott!”
Jill Scott’s achievements in Euros were praised in Jules Breach’s presentation of the three Channel 4 pundits.
Breach (foreground) put the cat among the pigeons with his cheeky presentation that drew laughter from Steven Gerrard (left) and Joe Cole (right)
The compliment drew laughter from all three experts, with Joe Cole cringing a bit at how “cruel” the cheating was.
Scott, who retired after his role in England’s heroic victory at Euro 2022, earned 161 caps for the national team and appeared in no fewer than nine major tournaments in his storied career.
Gerrard, who captained England between 2012 and 2014, sought revenge by trying to clarify that Breach was not referring to Scott’s post-retirement stint on I’m a Celebrity, where she was crowned Queen of the Jungle.
But the former Manchester City player was quick to retort: ’OK, I’ll take the Euro, OK!’
In his next move, Scott will take the captain’s armband for the England XI at this year’s Soccer Aid in June.
Cole has entered the charity competition in aid of UNICEF four times, between 2019 and 2022.
The banter continued to flow between the four coverage hosts, but after the match the conversation turned firmly to the quality of the players who secured England’s 2-1 victory.
The historic win in Naples marked the Three Lions’ first win on Italian soil since 1961, and has sent them straight to the top of qualifying Group C ahead of next year’s Euros.
The former Rangers and Aston Villa manager was on pitch duty for Channel 4
Cole, who earned 56 caps during his international career, was tickled by the reference.
After the match, Joe Cole praised the performance of opening goalscorer Declan Rice.
Former Chelsea player Cole had high praise for his former club’s long-range midfielder Declan Rice, calling him “the best player on the pitch by a mile”.
He added: ‘If he’s a centre-forward, we’re talking about instinct. He was outstanding from start to finish.’
Rice’s first goal for England will have sent a pertinent message to his critics, including Sportsmail columnist Graeme Souness, who had previously called the England international a limited player.
England have a chance to strengthen their position at the top of the qualifying group on Sunday when they face Ukraine at Wembley.