England will face France, Ukraine and Sweden when the Euro 2012 tournament kicks off next summer.

But the Republic of Ireland have a huge task in progressing to the knockout stages as they were drawn with Spain, Italy and Croatia.

England will begin their campaign against rivals France, whom they have not beaten in five meetings, in Donetsk on June 11.

They will then face Sweden in Kiev on June 15 and Ukraine back in Donetsk on June 19.

However, the Three Lions will have to contend with a hectic travel schedule, with their Group D fixtures taking place in Kiev and Donetsk.

Kiev is 540 miles away from England’s Krakow base while Donetsk is an even longer journey at 930 miles.

Arsenal and England star Jack Wilshere reacted positively to the draw. The midfielder tweeted: “Good draw.

“Hard group but as I said got to beat the best to win it! Be some banter at Arsenal as well with the French lads!”

The Irish — appearing in the championships for the first time since 1988 — will open against Croatia in Poznan on June 10.

But it is the games against Spain, winners in 2008 and World Cup victors in South Africa last year, and 1968 champions Italy which will most excite their fans.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s men will travel to Gdansk to face the Spaniards on June 14 and return to Poznan to play the Italians four days later.

The other co-hosts Poland were drawn alongside Euro 2004 winners Greece, Russia and the Czech Republic in Group A.

Group B will comprise three past champions in Holland, Denmark and Germany as well as 2004 runners-up Portugal.