It’s all about Samoa in Lille. England will finish first in Pool D and have qualified for the quarter-finals whatever the result here. Quarter-final qualification and an Australia berth ultimately rests on the result of Japan v Argentina in Nantes. But a surprise win for Samoa here would pile the pressure on both sides at Stade de la Beaujoire.
Not that England are taking any chances. Head coach Steve Borthwick has named 13 of the starting XV from their opening round win over Argentina, with Jonny May and captain Owen Farrell, playing at 12 outside George Ford, the only changes from that side – while Tom Curry will earn his 49th test cap on his return from a two-match suspension, having played just three minutes at RWC 2023 so far.
England head coach Steve Borthwick gave an injury update following the team announcement: "All the players are fit and available for selection apart from Jack Willis. Jack unfortunately suffered an injury in the test match versus Chile that he worked to recover from and rehab from. Unfortunately he’s been unable at this stage to be fit. What that’s meant is that Jack has left the squad. His replacement will be announced in due course. We’re really disappointed for Jack, he’s an important member of this team. The injury we anticipate will be just a few weeks, but clearly the time scale we’re operating in has meant that he will be replaced in the 33. I imagine a replacement will be in camp at the start of next week.”
The starting front row here – Ellis Genge, Jamie George and Dan Cole – also started in England’s 48-14 victory over Samoa back in 2017.
Samoa, meanwhile, have third place in their sights – and qualification for Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia – knowing that an automatic place at the next tournament is out of their hands. Argentina and Japan will have the final say on Sunday, when Pool D's second quarter-finalist will be decided.
Head coach Seilala Mapusua has named an all-new front-row of Jordan Lay, Sama Malolo, and captain Michael Alaalatoa and a new second-row of Sam Slade and Brian Alainu’u’ese for the match in Lille, among nine changes to his starting XV from the team that lost 28-22 against Japan. Only Theo McFarland, Fritz Lee, Steven Luatua, Jonathan Taumateine, Tumua Manu and Duncan Paia’aua retain their places.
Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua said they will be bringing physicality to the game: "We talk about showing up every week. We know that England are a quality team and are riding a wave of confidence at the moment. With the way they're playing, we know if we don't show up, we'll get found out very quickly. So we've been working hard over the last week and making sure we play the way we want to play, especially around the contact area."
Teams:
England: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Ollie Chessum, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Ben Earl, 9 Alex Mitchell, 10 George Ford, 11 Jonny May, 12 Owen Farrell (c), 13 Manu Tuilagi, 14 Joe Marchant, 15 Freddie Steward. Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 George Martin, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Danny Care, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Ollie Lawrence.
Samoa: 1 Jordan Lay, 2 Sama Malolo, 3 Michael Alaalatoa (c), 4 Sam Slade, 5 Brian Alainu'u'ese, 6 Theo McFarland, 7 Fritz Lee, 8 Steven Luatua, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 11 Neria Fomai, 12 Danny Toala, 13 Tumua Manu, 14 Nigel Ah-Wong, 15 Duncan Paia'aua. Replacements: 16 Seilala Lam, 17 James Lay, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Sootala Fa'aso'o, 20 Alamanda Motuga, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Christian Leali'ifano, 23 Miracle Faiilagi.
