That is it for our live coverage of Russia against Samoa - thanks for joining me.

Remember to keep checking the BBC Sport website for the latest news from the Rugby World Cup.

And, if you're a podcast fan, BBC Radio 5 Live's Rugby Union Weekly will keep you up to date with all the talking points from Japan.

The rugby continues with Fiji against Uruguay tomorrow - set your alarms early and see you then.

Image source, Getty Images

If you are just joining us, you missed a hard-fought encounter in today's only Rugby World Cup match.

Samoa managed to recover from trailing at half-time to beat Russia.

Click the link below to read the report of today's Pool A game in Kumagaya.

On the subject of England, head coach Eddie Jones expects a difficult match against the Americans on Thursday.

That is almost it for our coverage today.

There is just one pool game tomorrow too, as Fiji take on Uruguay in Pool D at quarter past six in the morning.

There will, of course, be live text and radio commentary of that match available on the BBC Sport website.

England, meanwhile, are back in action against USA on Thursday (11:45 BST).

Natasha Hunt
England World Cup winning scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Coaches look for work rate and relentless nature and I think the Russians have got that mindset in abundance especially that starting 15.

This could be a huge springboard for them.

That win takes Samoa up to the top of Pool A, narrowly ahead of Ireland on points difference.

Next up for Samoa is Scotland on Monday morning.

The Pacific Islanders might fancy their chances after Scotland lost to Ireland on Sunday.

Steve Jackson's men weren't totally convincing against the Russians though.

They'll need to improve their discipline, otherwise they will be punished by the Tier One nations.

Image source, BBC Sport

Samoa took control of that match in the second half.

But the Russians might complain about the refereeing.

First Rey Lee-Lo and then Motu Matu'u avoided red cards for high tackles on Vasily Artemyev in the first half.

Samoa then pressed home their advantage early in the second half when Russia were down to 14 men.

Natasha Hunt
England World Cup winning scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

You could see the difference in the gulf between the starters and the finishers in this Russia squad, there seems to be so much more about them when they start a match, they went after Samoa but fair play to Samoa to come out of the game with the win.

Here are the full-time stats via our colleagues at Opta.

Image source, Opta

Image source, AFP

The conversion attempt is wide of the posts, but Samoa have done the job.

They get their World Cup campaign off to a start with a bonus-point win.

Russia fall to their second defeat in Pool A.

A Russian handling error in midfield gives Samoa a scrum.

The Bears have, somewhat understandably, run out of puff in the second half.

Image source, Getty Images

Tagir Gadzhiev powers at the Samoa defence from the line-out, but the whistle goes for crossing.

The Samoan celebrate that decision heartily. They are almost there.

Another Russian scrum, but they still can't find the inspiration to unlock the Samoa defence.

The Bears get another penalty and go for the corner in an attempt to finish with a flourish.

Image source, Getty Images

Franko: Think they need to reconsider the five in a group for future World Cups. How is it fair that a team that played Friday is coming up against fresh opposition?

Pierre: Samoa look indisciplined and slow, but Russia looks like a team that doesn't know the rules.

The Russians get the ball out of the scrum but then Vitaly Zhivatov lets it slip out of his arms in contact.

Samoa kick away but Russia get hands back on the ball, but they've been pushed back towards halfway.

The Russian player does look like he got over the line.

But the grounding is not clear. Was his own hand underneath the ball?

Either way, Romain Poite gives the scrum fives metres out. Prop Azamat Bitiev is on for the final nine minutes.

Natasha Hunt
England World Cup winning scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

If Samoa want to do battle with the likes of Ireland and Scotland then they need to sort their driving maul out because that is such a weapon.

If you've got a driving maul that is really strong then it is so difficult to defend, you can not give a penalty away anywhere in your own half.

It's something that they definitely need to focus on moving through the group stages.

Russia just cannot find a way through.

They are about one or two metres away but Samoa keep tackling and denying them.

Suddenly the Bears cross, and Romain Poite thinks the ball is held up.

But we'll have another look via the TMO.

Russia continue to pick and drive, but can't find a way through the Samoa defence.

They are not creating enough, and the Samoans can deal with what is being thrown at them.

But a Samoan defender is offside, and Russia kick for the corner again.