DESPITE the UK voting to leave the Europe Union, a number of Reading FC players have no plans to return home soon, writes Oscar Beardmore-Gray.

And after Wales and Northern Ireland drew each other in the last 16, it is certain that there will be at least one Reading player in the Euro 2016 quarter finals in France.

Four Reading players are representing their countries on the continent; Chris Gunter and Hal Robson-Kanu for Wales, Ollie Norwood for Northern Ireland and Stephen Quinn for the Republic of Ireland.

In an all home nations encounter, Gunter and Robson-Kanu will lock horns with Norwood and his Northern Irish teammates in Paris on Saturday evening.

Both Gunter and Norwood have played every minute of their respective campaigns and will hope to go on step further when they meet at the Parc des Princes.

The last meeting between the two nations saw an attendance of 529, but a sell-out crowd is expected at the 48,000 seater stadium.

Wales secured their place in the last 16 with a thumping 3-0 over Russia in Toulouse, winning Group B ahead of England.

Wales had previously beaten Slovakia 2-1, ex-Royals striker Robson-Kanu scoring the winner, before losing 2-1 to England after a late Daniel Sturridge strike.

Northern Ireland lost their final group game 1-0, despite a spirited performance against Germany, but it was still enough to progress as one of the best third-placed sides.

After losing their first game to Poland, things were looking difficult for Michael O’Neill’s men, but a 2-0 victory over Ukraine, Norwood providing the assist for the first goal, reignited hope of qualifying.

Irish keeper Michael McGovern’s heroics against Germany then ensured a superior goal difference to Albania and Turkey and set up the tie with the Welsh, the winners likely to face Belgium in the next round.

Royals midfielder Stephen Quinn also came on for as a late substitute in the Republic of Ireland’s remarkable 1-0 win over Italy.

Needing a win to qualify, Quinn replaced former Reading man Shane Long as the Republic set up a thrilling tie with hosts France.

The Irish had looked to be heading out, before a late Robbie Brady header sent them through.

Martin O’Neill’s side will now hope to revenge Thierry Henry’s handball that denied them a place at the 2010 World Cup in Lyon on Sunday.