Samoa No.8 Henry Tuilagi has recovered from his injury and will start against England. Photo / Brett Phibbs
NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE - Samoa coach Michael Jones on Thursday made five changes to his starting lineup for the World Cup Group A match against England in Nantes on Saturday.
Following defeats in their first two games, Jones has brought back in No.8 Henry Tuilagi, who was sidelined after bruising
his ribs in the opener against South Africa, with Semo Sititi switching to flanker.
Also back in is the veteran Brian Lima, the first man to play in five World Cups, who was badly concussed making a tackle against the Springboks.
Full-back Gavin Williams who fractured a bone in his hand is replaced by Loki Crichton, who was at first five-eighths against the Tongans in Samoa's second outing. Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu fills the No.10 shirt against the English.
The other changes see Kas Lealamanua coming in at loose-head prop and David Lemi playing right-wing.
"We're all very clear on the significance of this game and what it means in terms of what we represent in terms of our country, our families, all the good things we play for," said Jones.
"If we get it wrong this week - we don't even want to think about that. The boys are excited, they're very bubbly and very focused."
The England team, he added, were under even more pressure than the Samoans following their record 0-36 los to South Africa in their last game.
"They're just as desperate as we are. They have their backs against the wall too. They'll come out fired up. There's a typical England look to this team. With Jonny Wilkinson back it's a pretty complex team."
The Samoa team named on Thursday to play England in a World Cup Pool A game in Nantes on Saturday:-
Samoa (15-1)
Loki Crichton; David Lemi, Seilala Mapusua, Brian Lima, Alesana Tuilagi; Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Junior Polu; Henry Tuilagui, Semo Sititi (capt), Daniel Leo; Kane Thompson, Joe Tekori; Census Johnston, Mahroni Schwalger, Kas Lealamanua
Replacements: Tanielu Fuga, Fosi Palaamo, Justin Purdie, Alfie Vaeluaga, Steve So'oialo, Jerry Meafou, Lolo Lui
- AFP
