Theresa May has promised to fly England’s flag over Downing Street next summer - even though the Lionesses must beat Wales if they are to qualify for the Women’s World Cup.

Brecon and Radnorshire MP Chris Davies said he didn’t think the Prime Minister could be accused of trying to predict the outcome of the crunch qualifying decider between the two nations in August.

Wales currently top qualifying Group A and will automatically qualify for a first ever Women’s World Cup, in France in 2019, if they can beat England in the final qualifier, to be played in Wales, on Friday, August 31.

Mr Davies, who was unaware of the tight race between the two neighbours to qualify outright for France, said Mrs May could be asked to honour the spirit of her promise should Jess Fishlock and co beat England boss Phil Neville’s girls to qualify.

Conservative MP Mr Davies said: "I don’t think she can really be accused of predicting who is going to be the qualifying team from the UK. I think it was meant as British support.

"If Wales do qualify for the Women’s World Cup perhaps we’ll have the Welsh dragon flying over Westminster."

At Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday Mrs May said the St George’s flag will fly over 10 Downing Street for England’s remaining matches at the men’s World Cup that is currently taking place in Russia.

But she then promised to do so during next year’s Women’s World Cup as well .

The PM told MPs: "Number 10 will be flying the England flag on the day of each of England’s matches from now on.

"We will be encouraging other government departments to do the same. I’m going to go further than my predecessors. Next year we will do the same for the women’s World Cup."

Mr Davies said he supports the decision to fly the flag during the current tournament and added: "I think it’s a light hearted comment, which is what politics needs at the moment."The Downing Street press office has since said the promise applied to "all home nations who qualify".Scotland's women's team are currently second in their qualifying group and still in with a chance of claiming a place at the World Cup.