England v Samoa: Rugby World Cup 2023 match preview, team news, kick-off time & Pool D standings
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George Ford and Owen Farrell last started together in March 2021
Rugby World Cup Pool D: England v Samoa |
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Venue: Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille Date: Saturday, 7 October Kick-off: 16:45 BST |
Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, plus text updates on the BBC Sport website and app |
Head coach Steve Borthwick has reunited playmakers George Ford and Owen Farrell for England's final Pool D match against Samoa in Lille on Saturday.
Captain Farrell needs two more points to overtake Jonny Wilkinson as England's record points scorer.
England have already won the pool but will want a commanding performance as they prepare for the quarter-finals.
Samoa have little chance of progressing with Argentina and Japan facing each other for second place in the pool.
But Samoa could secure third place and with that automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
The match at Stade Pierre-Mauroy kicks off at 16:45 BST.
England team news
George Ford and Owen Farrell will start together as fly-half and inside centre for the first time since March 2021.
Their partnership, a key part of the run to the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, has been disrupted by injury and Marcus Smith's emergence as a Test player.
Manu Tuilagi is outside Farrell at 13, and plays against Samoa, the country of his birth and the nation represented by his brothers Anitelea, Alesana, Henry and Freddie, for the first time.
Flanker Tom Curry also returns from suspension to start but Henry Arundell, who scored five tries in England's most recent victory over Chile, is not included.
England: Steward; Marchant, Tuilagi, Farrell (capt), May; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, George, Cole, Itoje, Chessum, Lawes, Curry, Earl.
Replacements: Dan, Marler, Sinckler, Martin, Vunipola, Care, Smith, Lawrence.
Samoa team news
Samoa's team includes Saracens forward Theo McFarland and Bristol's Steven Luatua at number eight.
Lima Sopoaga, who like Luatua represented New Zealand before switching to Samoa under new World Rugby regulations, starts at fly-half ahead of former Australia international Christian Lealiifano.
Samoa: Paia'aua; Ah Wong, Manu, Toala, Fomai; Sopoaga, Taumateine; Jordan Lay, Malolo, Alaalatoa, Slade, Alainu'u'ese, McFarland, Lee, Luatua.
Replacements: Lam, James Lay, Alo-Emile, Fa'aso'o, Motuga, Matavao, Lealiifano, Fai'ilagi.
View from England's camp: 'I'm definitely on bonus time'
England wing Jonny May: "I still feel I am pushing on my best and I can contribute and the full package that I can bring is as good as anyone - on my day. That's what motivates me to still be here."But I'm definitely on bonus time. I've played for England in every year for 11 calendar years now. I never thought that would be possible for me."
England centre Joe Marchant, who moves to the wing against Samoa: "It does not change my role because when I am in the centre I end up on the outside quite a lot anyway.
"Steve has been pretty fluid with it the whole campaign. I am looking forward to it. I am really happy to be on the pitch and getting out there.
"Samoa are going to come hard, fast and physical so for us it is about getting the physicality right and taking it to them."
View from Samoa's camp: 'A battle of attrition in the pack'
Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua: "We know it's going to be a battle of attrition in the pack, so being able to start well and finish well is important.
"With injuries and unavailability, we're hanging in there in terms of our squad but I'm very confident in the pack we've chosen."
"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."
Pool D standings
Head-to-head record
England have won all three games between the sides at the Rugby World Cup.
The last meeting in the competition came in 2007 with England winning 44-22 in Nantes.
Overall England have won all eight games against Samoa, the last being a 48-14 win in 2017.
The closest Samoa have come to a win against England were their 13-point defeats in 2003 and 2010.
Who is the match referee?
Ireland's Andrew Brace takes charge of the game.
Compatriot Brian MacNeice is the television match official.
England's Pool D fixtures
Saturday, 9 September: England 27-10 Argentina
Sunday, 17 September: England 34-12 Japan
Saturday, 23 September: England 71-0 Chile
Saturday 7 October: England v Samoa (Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille), 16:45 BST