England v Samoa Preview

After losing their last five games England fans will be expecting a win on Saturday as England look to end their recent poor run of form. As for Samoa they bounced back from their defeat to Italy with a win over Canada  and after talks that this game might not go ahead due to the Samoan players not happy with the money they are receiving from the SRU, the players have arrived in England and will go to battle with the English on Saturday evening.

These sides have only met six times before with England winning all six of them. The last time these sides met was back in 2010 when England defeated the Samoans 26-13 thanks to tries from Tom Croft and Matt Banahan. They have also met each other in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups with England winning comfortably in both games.

In team news England make four changes from the side that lost out to South Africa last week with Stuart Lancaster making three changes in his pack and two in the backline. In the front row Rob Webber will start at Hooker while the other two changes see’s Ben Morgan come in for Billy Vunipola at number 8 while James Haskell makes his first start in the November Series after recovering from illness he suffered while preparing for Wasps game against Leinster last Month. In the backline Kyle Eastmond is dropped from the squad with Owen Farrell starting at 12 with George Ford playing as England’s outhalf where they both played with each other for the England under 20’s in what seems like a long time ago. The final change see’s Ben Youngs start at scrum half with first choice Danny Care missing through injury.

As for Samoa they make seven changes from the side that defeated Canada. There are three changes in the forwards with Ti'i Paulo, Kane Thompson and Zack Lam coming into the side. In the backs there are four changes in a much different backline which lined out against the Canadians with Northampton Saints Ken Pisi starting at Full back, and is joined by London Wasps Alapati Leiua who still start on the wing with Tusi Pisi and Jonny Leota also recalled to the Samoan side.

England will go into this game as firm favourites and will look to pick up their first win in five games. As for the Samoans they feel they are not receiving enough money for the work they put into the national side. Saturday will be a huge opportunity for them to prove their worth as they look to cause a major upset.