Stats and facts: Italy v Samoa

To begin Italy’s Autumn campaign, Kieran Crowley’s side will have a tricky matchup with Samoa before ending November with Tests against Australia and South Africa.

Here are a few stats and facts between the two sides:

1. Italy have won two of their previous seven meetings against Samoa, coming out on top 24-13 the last time they met in November 2014.

2. Eight years have passed since Italy defeated Samoa 25-13 in the last of their seven previous encounters 

3. Italy finished bottom of the Six Nations for the seventh consecutive year but signed off with a 22-21 win over Wales at the Principality Stadium.

4. Samoa are six tries short of reaching 600 in Tests.

5. Italy have won three of their last four Tests (L1) after winning just one in their 21 matches prior.

6. Samoa have won each of their last five Test matches after losing three in a row previously.

7. Of the players to feature more than once in the Six Nations in 2022, just five averaged 100+ carry metres per game, including Italy duo Ange Capuozzo (106) and Monty Ioane (100).

8. Michael Ala'alatoa (Samoa) hit 40 attacking rucks during the Pacific Nations Cup this year, the joint most of any player (level with Tom Robertson).

9. Samoa won their most recent November Test match against Spain in 2018, their first victory in Europe in Autumn since 2016.