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England coach Stuart Lancaster has warned the 2015 World Cup hosts to expect a fired-up Samoa side playing their “cup final” at Twickenham today. |
The third of England’s four November internationals, the clash with the Pacific Islanders always looked the most ‘winnable’ of a Twickenham series that has already featured contests against world champions New Zealand and South Africa and culminates with next weekend’s clash against World Cup pool rivals Australia.
But successive defeats by the All Blacks (24-21) and the Springboks (31-28) have turned today’s match into a ‘must-win’ fixture for an England side bidding to end a run of five straight defeats, albeit four have been at the hands of New Zealand.
What will be England’s seventh international against Samoa—the Red Rose brigade have won all six previous encounters—was imperilled when the visitors considered boycotting the match in protest at their treatment by the Samoa Rugby Union.
Although the strike threat has been withdrawn, the underlying tensions that caused the Samoa team to contemplate such drastic action remain.
Not that Lancaster is expecting the controversy to in any way lessen the on-field impact of the traditionally tough-tackling Samoans.
“We’re expecting physicality, pride and passion from Samoa,” said Lancaster.
“This game is their cup final. It’s a great opportunity for them and they’ll be hugely motivated.”
And for all England’s success against Samoa in the past, Lancaster insisted this weekend’s clash had the potential to trip up his side if they were not completely on their game.
“I watched them beat Wales in Cardiff a couple of years ago (29-16 in November 2012) in a similar fixture. They are very difficult opposition, so we need to be at our best.
“Just look at the Wales v Fiji game last weekend...Fiji almost won it (losing 17-13).
“We know it’s not a game we can take lightly whatsoever because they’ll be putting us under pressure.”
Lancaster has made five changes and a positional switch to his side.
Under-performing fly-half Owen Farrell has been moved to inside centre, with Lancaster giving a first Test to Bath stand-off George Ford, all of whose four previous caps have come off the bench.
Lancaster has also dropped scrum-half Danny Care and recalled Ben Youngs.
Ford and Farrell have been friends since their schooldays and have previously enjoyed success with England youth sides.
