ROCKY ROAD FROM HIGHS OF ANTALYA TO A LONG AND DRAWN OUT TUG OF WAR...

MAY 23, 2017: Capped for Ireland at U16, U17, U19 and U21 level, Rice is called into Irish senior squad by Martin O’Neill for the first time following his Premier League debut for West Ham. He is 18.

MARCH 20, 2018: Rice is awarded Irish U19 Player of the Year before flying to Turkey with senior squad. ‘There’s no decision to be made. England have never wanted me at underage level, it’s always been Ireland,’ he says. MARCH 23, 2018: Rice is Man of the Match for Ireland in a friendly against Turkey. His father Sean is flown to the game as a guest of the FAI. There is an emotional embrace post-game in Antalya. JUNE, 2018: Rice is in the treatment room in Irish team hotel in Dublin when Roy Keane launches fierce verbal attack on Harry Arter.

AUGUST 27: O’Neill reveals that Rice has asked not to be considered for Nations League after a meeting with Gareth Southgate, which leaves him open to jump ship. ‘England have spoken to him. He’s taking time to make his mind up.’

AUGUST 30: Southgate hails Rice as ‘a good young player’

who has ‘a really difficult decision’ to make. ‘There is a lot of pressure on him and I am conscious there is a spotlight on him.’

NOVEMBER 9: Rice says the decision on his international future will be ‘one of the hardest of my career. Without doubt, it is not an easy decision.’ DECEMBER 23: After meeting Rice, new Irish manager Mick McCarthy says he would build his team around him. ‘He could be a future captain,’ says McCarthy.

FEBRUARY 13: Rice chooses England over Ireland, insisting, ‘It is a personal decision that I have made with my heart and my head based on what I believe is best for my future.’