England vs Samoa LIVE! Rugby World Cup 2023 result, match stream and latest updates today

England vs Samoa LIVE!

England are breathing a sigh of relief after narrowly avoiding a shock upset at the Rugby World Cup. Steve Borthwick’s side squeezed past Samoa 18-17 in Lille on Saturday courtesy of veteran scrum-half Danny Care’s late try off the bench to make it four wins from four to close out Pool D, but the nature of the performance will have set alarm bells ringing ahead of next weekend’s quarter-final test in Marseille - most likely against Fiji.

England started well with lock Ollie Chessum’s early try and Owen Farrell overtaking Jonny Wilkinson as their leading points scorer of all time, but were dominated for much of the first half thereafter as Nigel Ah Wong registered two excellent scores for sensational Samoa, who also had one wiped off the board through Duncan Paia'aua.

England had tries from Joe Marchant and Chessum denied in the second half before substitute Care eventually spared their blushes with a late trademark dart to the line following a short-range scrum, with Farrell nailing the all-important conversion to break Samoan hearts. Follow England vs Samoa reaction live below, with expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy!

England vs Samoa highlights

• TRY! Care darts in for crucial late score

• Chessum and Marchant tries chalked off before Farrell penalty

• Paia’aua and Ah Wong tries ruled out

• TRY! Ah Wong scores again with brilliant finish

• TRY! Ah Wong hits back smartly for Samoa

• Farrell becomes England’s record points scorer

• TRY! Chessum scores early for England

England player ratings

21:59 , George Flood

Replacements

Joe Marler (for Genge, 55) – 6

Struggled to hit his usual levels in both the tight and loose.

Kyle Sinckler (for Cole, 48) – 6

Still working back to his sharpest after injury.

George Martin (for Lawes, 59) – 7

A physical cameo from the powerhouse Leicester lock.

Billy Vunipola (for Curry, blood 45-55, 74) – 6

Searching for his best rugby, just when England need him most.

Danny Care (for Mitchell, 66) – 8

Seized the crucial moment with the winning score to spare England’s blushes.

Marcus Smith (for Ford, 51) – 8

Looked sharp on the ball at full-back again and almost sparked a try to remember only for Itoje’s forward pass to thwart Marchant.

Ollie Lawrence (for Tuilagi, 58) – 7

Cut the line with one telling punch that shows what he can provide to this England team.

England player ratings

21:59 , George Flood

Forwards

Ellis Genge – 6

Struggled to dominate Samoa in the tight and around the fringes.

Jamie George – 7

Another very solid showing from England’s crucial experienced front-row forward.

Dan Cole – 6

Locked down the scrum early on but could not sustain that level.

Maro Itoje – 6

Will be kicking himself for his forward pass that denied Marchant what would have been a fine try.

Ollie Chessum – 8

England’s best player on a piecemeal night but at least one where the Red Rose men hit back to claim victory.

Courtney Lawes – 6

Struggled to impose himself on a night full of mistakes and frustration.

Tom Curry – 7

A promising showing given his lack of rugby but will need to raise the level again for the quarter-finals.

Ben Earl – 6

Always puts himself about and his engine carried him through but did not deliver to his usual high standards.

England player ratings

21:58 , George Flood

Backs

Freddie Steward – 5

Caught out of position, a rarity, for Samoa’s cross-field kick try.

Joe Marchant – 5

Showed glimpses of what he can do but drifted out of the game for long periods.

Manu Tuilagi – 7

Delivered a promising performance on the front foot against his homeland.

Owen Farrell – 6

Linked well with Ford but struggled for accuracy in a rare off-kilter effort.

Jonny May – 7

Grafted all night with little success but was always busy and available for the ball.

George Ford – 6

Started the night in purring form with Farrell but ended it being hauled off before the hour in a frustrating showing.

Alex Mitchell – 5

Slipped off the lofty perch he set for himself with his shining turn against Argentina, with his core skills looking rusty.

Borthwick hits out at England detractors

21:56 , George Flood

Steve Borthwick insists that England have vindicated their pre-Rugby World Cup plans by seeing off Samoa to complete a clean sweep of Pool D.

Head coach Borthwick conceded that off-colour England were too scrappy amid their 18-17 victory over Samoa in Lille.

Danny Care’s late score dragged a messy England kicking and screaming to a fourth straight World Cup win.

Now England are likely to face Fiji in the quarter-finals, where they will launch a revenge mission after their 30-22 loss to the Pacific Islanders in August.

Borthwick responded to the patchy one-point victory over Samoa by hitting out at England’s detractors who had warned against an abortive World Cup campaign after three defeats in four warm-up matches.

Click here to read the reaction in full

Nick Purewal’s match report

21:55 , George Flood

The only clean element of England’s nervy 18-17 Rugby World Cup win over Samoa proved the Red Rose men’s sweep of Pool D.

England trudged to a tetchy and error-strewn victory over the Pacific Islanders, rounding off their pool phase with four wins from four matches.

Wales or Fiji likely await Steve Borthwick’s men in the quarter-finals, and England must raise their level significantly to see off either foe.

England have never lost to Samoa but came closer than ever to relinquishing that 100 per cent record at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Danny Care zipped in to spare England’s blushes at the death of a game filled with bluster and blunder.

Click here to read the report in full

England 18-17 Samoa

18:49 , George Flood

Full-time

A late try and then a try-saving tackle from Danny Care spares England’s blushes in Lille!

A pulsating game that went right down to the wire but a lot to be concerned about there for Borthwick, despite his side making it four wins from four to finish Pool D perfect.

Samoa finish their World Cup campaign with a great display, but they will be absolutely gutted not to have claimed a first ever win over England there.

It was within their grasp.

England 18-17 Samoa

18:47 , George Flood

78 mins: Why on earth have England put boot to ball there in attack?! Just keep hold of it! Steward the guilty party there I think, looking for the little diagonal grubber in behind.

They nearly pay the price as Samoa streak forward before a try-saving tackle from Care of all people!

What an impact the veteran scrum-half has had off the bench here.

England 18-17 Samoa

18:46 , George Flood

76 mins: Samoa are back asking questions of the England defence - before a huge hit from Martin sends them back and they have the turnover.

A strong cameo today from the Leicester lock.

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Finally England regain the lead, with Danny Care racing in from a close-range scrum and Farrell converting.

This has been underwhelming in many facets, but a win is still crucial here despite England already having qualified for the last eight.

England 18-17 Samoa

18:45 , George Flood

TRY! England 18-17 Samoa | Danny Care 73'

18:42 , George Flood

73 mins: Care picks the ball up from the back of the scrum, sucks in the defender by looking like he’s going to shift it out to Lawrence but instead darts in and touches down by the posts for a crucial England score.

A simple conversion from Farrell - who is reminded of the shot clock in no uncertain terms by the crowd - is sent over in plenty of time to push England ahead by one.

A huge sigh of relief for Borthwick. But this isn’t over yet...

England 11-17 Samoa

18:39 , George Flood

72 mins: Reset after reset at the scrum is wiping so much time off the clock.

This is a second for England after the knock-on, but the seconds are really ticking down now.

They have to make this happen. Manu will be back on for Samoa soon, taking them back up to 15 men.

England 11-17 Samoa

18:38 , George Flood

69 mins: Trademark sniping from the wily Care as Samoa are caught offside and England have a scrum against an undermanned and tiring defence.

This feels like an absolutely pivotal moment in this game.

A reminder that England have never previously lost to Samoa. They still trail by six here with 10 minutes to go...

England 11-17 Samoa

18:35 , George Flood

65 mins: Danny Care is on at scrum-half for England, replacing the underwhelming Mitchell.

Christian Leali'ifano is also on for Samoa, who lose outside centre Manu for 10 minutes after a hit on Farrell in the air earns him a yellow card.

Can England make their late numerical advantage count?

England 11-17 Samoa

18:31 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Well, Farrell slots a penalty for England, but the effort is scratched out because he exceeded the 60-second shot clock limit.

That would have dragged England within three points of Samoa, and the error is sizeable. England have never lost to Samoa and are still labouring to turn this clash around.

England 11-17 Samoa

18:30 , George Flood

64 mins: What a disaster!

Farrell takes an age to line up the kick and the 60-second shot clock expires before he sends it over!

Farcical. That’s the first time that has happened at this World Cup.

The England captain fritters away three points in the most careless fashion.

How costly could the skipper’s blunder prove?

England 11-17 Samoa

18:29 , George Flood

63 mins: Samoa are creaking now as England have a penalty that is kicked to the corner.

The lineout is stolen, but here come England again.

The carrying in and around the 22 is so much more threatening from England now, particularly from Lawrence, Martin and Chessum, who knocks on.

But TMO Brian MacNeice wants to alert referee Andrew Brace to another off-the-ball tackle from Samoa, which results in a careless penalty.

Farrell to step up again to make this a three-point game in the final 15 minutes...

England 11-17 Samoa

18:25 , George Flood

60 mins: England look far more dangerous with ball in hand now, having sent on the likes of Ollie Lawrence and George Martin for Tuilagi and Lawes.

Samoa have made six changes over the last few minutes in a bid to hold onto this shock lead.

England 11-17 Samoa

18:23 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy

England have had two possible scores scrubbed off in quick succession here, first Jamie George going close and then Marchant racing in after fine work from Smith, only for that effort to be chalked off for a forward pass on review.

PENALTY! England 11-17 Samoa | Owen Farrell 58'

18:20 , George Flood

58 mins: Just a penalty for that off-the-ball tackle from Toala on Farrell, which the England captain turns into three points.

England reduce the deficit to six with just over 20 minutes left to play in Lille.

England 8-17 Samoa

18:19 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Borthwick makes a big change by bringing off Ford, with Smith slotting in at full-back, Steward moving to the wing and Farrell stepping up to fly-half.

Tuilagi and Marchant now join forces in the centres.

England 8-17 Samoa

18:17 , George Flood

57 mins: NO TRY!

Marchant is put through and dots down after some incisive England attacking and a superb break from Smith, but that was a clear forward pass from Itoje unfortunately.

Very obvious.

An off-the-ball hit from Toala on opposite number Farrell is also being looked at by the officials.

Curry is back on for Vunipola now, with Joe Marler also replacing Genge at loosehead.

England 8-17 Samoa

18:16 , George Flood

57 mins: Samoa with some terrific last-ditch defending as Mitchell is held up!

England just cannot catch a break.

England 8-17 Samoa

18:13 , George Flood

54 mins: NO TRY!

Chessum is adjudged to have been short and then propelled himself over in a double movement.

It’s not a try, but we will come back for the England penalty at least.

They choose to kick to the corner.

England 8-17 Samoa

18:10 , George Flood

53 mins: England are sustaining a lot of pressure now, camped just outside the try line after the driving maul.

Has Chessum got this down for his second score of the day?

We’ll have a TMO check after the referee diffuses a flashpoint involving Vunipola, who complains that he was “punched in the face three times” as tempers flared there.

He’s told to walk away. On-field decision is no try, the referee thinks it was short.

England were playing with penalty advantage.

England 8-17 Samoa

18:08 , George Flood

50 mins: Kyle Sinckler is on in the England front row, replacing Cole.

Marcus Smith has also replaced George Ford.

That’s a big decision from Borthwick with half an hour still to play.

Will he go to his usual position at fly-half or else revert back to 15, where he was so impressive in the 71-0 mauling of Chile here two weeks ago? Let’s see.

It would mean Farrell shifting from inside centre to 10 and Steward moving out to the wing.

England 8-17 Samoa

18:06 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy

England start the half brightly, but fail to turn a driven lineout into a scoring chance with a loose pass to Tuilagi that allows Samoa to break 70 metres.

Sopoaga’s eventual penalty pushes the Samoan lead to 17-8.

PENALTY! England 8-17 Samoa | Lima Sopoaga 48'

18:05 , George Flood

48 mins: No mistake from Sopoaga from the tee as the Samoa lead ticks up to nine.

Referee Andrew Brace also warned Farrell there for multiple infringements from England’s tired defence, including offsides and off-the-ball tackles.

England 8-14 Samoa

18:03 , George Flood

46 mins: England’s defence are looking worryingly rattled once again now.

They are ground down by double-digit Samoa phases, crashing away at the line with more brute-strength carries.

Ah Wong ends up trying to get around Steward down the right with a smart little grubber kick, but May desperately gets back to touch it down.

Samoa were playing with an advantage there and we will now come back for the penalty.

England 8-14 Samoa

18:00 , George Flood

45 mins: Curry has blood seeping from a wound under his head tape and will need to go off to have that sorted.

Billy Vunipola comes on for now.

Can he provide some energy and thrust for England from the back row?

This would be a good time to find some form for their only specialist No 8.

England 8-14 Samoa

17:58 , George Flood

43 mins: Curry gets over the ball well at the breakdown and earns England an early second-half penalty.

They have a promising attacking platform outside the 22, but it’s all so ponderous and slow with no quick ball.

Farrell tries to force a long flat pass to Tuilagi and the ball is disrupted by Fomai and seized by Samoa, who are off to the races!

That’s a try-saving, last-ditch tackle from Ford on Paia’aua, who had been teed up nicely by Sopoaga.

England living a charmed life once again. What do Samoa have to do for this third try?!

Brilliant recovery work from Ford, mind.

England 8-14 Samoa

17:53 , George Flood

Back underway in Lille.

Will we see an England response?

No changes at half-time from Borthwick...

England 8-14 Samoa

17:45 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Good first 15 minutes, awful second 25 for England. The Ford-Farrell axis is as good as it ever was, and Tuilagi has delivered power and panache.

But up front England’s fringe defence is simply not good enough and without the ball the Red Rose men have failed to contain a fluent Samoa side attacking in repeated waves.

England 8-14 Samoa

17:41 , George Flood

Half-time

England are down by six at the break, but it should be more with two Samoa tries disallowed.

They have been really poor after a bright start, with Samoa brilliant.

A fascinating second half ahead.

A good job that England have already secured their quarter-final berth as Pool D winners.

England 8-14 Samoa

17:40 , George Flood

40 mins: England with a very rare foray forward after a Curry-earned penalty gives them the chance to cut the deficit on the stroke of half-time.

Samoa look concerned, but they needn’t be as Farrell’s disappointing knock-on with the clock in the red ends the attack and the first half.

England need to regroup. They’ve been utterly outplayed for 25 minutes there.

England 8-14 Samoa

17:37 , George Flood

38 mins: What has happened to England here?!

After a positive start, they are being absolutely dominated with their 22 under siege for so much of this first half.

The defence looks totally dishevelled and ragged, with only a crucial turnover from Itoje there preventing another Samoa score.

Samoa look sensational, saving their best performance for this game evidently.

But a six-point advantage does not tell the story of the last 20 minutes or so.

They have to be disappointed not to be leading by more.

England 8-14 Samoa

17:34 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy

England are extremely fortunate to see a third Samoa try chalked off, after neither Ben Earl nor Maro Itoje could claim Mitchell’s botched box-kick, leading to Duncan Paia’aua ghosting home.

A knock-on by Tumua Manu let England off the hook big time there though, as the try was initially awarded only to be chalked off on TV review.

England 8-14 Samoa

17:33 , George Flood

35 mins: NO TRY!

England cannot live with the New Zealand-born Ah Wong, who bulldozes down the short side to touch down again in the right corner.

However, Mitchell did just enough with the brave hit there to put him into touch before he grounded it.

England are living very dangerously indeed in this first half.

England 8-14 Samoa

17:32 , George Flood

33 mins: NO TRY!

The officials rule that actually went forward off a blue hand during the frantic tussle with Itoje and Earl that followed the bad box-kick, I think outside centre Manu.

The score is wiped off. Gutting for Paia’aua.

Should we really be looking to rule tries out after the conversion has been taken?

England 8-14 Samoa

17:28 , George Flood

32 mins: Samoa are in dreamland at the moment!

England in absolute pieces as they concede their third try of this first half.

Full-back Duncan Paia’aua profits after Mitchell’s botched box-kick goes high into the air and is knocked backwards by a hapless combination of Itoje and Earl.

Sopoaga just misses a tough conversion, wide to the left.

But hang on a moment, this try is going to be subject to a very, very late TMO check after the conversion has been taken.

England set for a badly-needed reprieve?

England 8-14 Samoa

17:27 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Samoa punt an eminently kickable penalty to the corner, going for the jugular. And it pays off as Ah Wong claims his second try in fine style.

Sopoaga’s blitzkrieg cross-field kick caught England shallow in defence and Ah Wong collected and dotted down just inside the white lines.

So now Samoa lead 14-8, and England’s smart start has been totally eroded.

TRY! England 8-14 Samoa | Nigel Ah Wong 28'

17:24 , George Flood

28 mins: Try given! The foot touched the white line after Ah Wong had already grounded the ball.

What a finish! Magnificent poise and awareness.

Sopoaga puts over another conversion and Samoa now lead by six!

England are in a real game here, make no mistake. They look flat, tired and disorganised at the moment.

England 8-7 Samoa

17:23 , George Flood

28 mins: Sublime from Samoa!

Great skills again from Ah Wong to bring in another brilliant cross-field kick from Sopoaga and touch down right at the back of the in-goal area.

What a finish! But did his foot touch the dead-ball line? This will be looked at, but the on-field decision is try...

17:21 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Theo McFarland shows why Saracens believe he is one of the best back-five forwards in the world, by fielding a cross-field kick then stepping Tuilagi inside and out.

England survive despite Sama Malolo going close. Samoa’s livewire play to keep the ball alive is causing England’s defence untold problems right now.

England 8-7 Samoa

17:20 , George Flood

25 mins: Samoa are really taking the game to England now, buoyed by that Ah Wong try.

Saracens flanker McFarland is leading the charge, showing supreme strength and physicality to collect a clever cross-field kick and slam his way forward.

Hooker Malolo takes up the mantle and burrows his way so close to the line, but he’s stripped at the last and England just about survive.

Some real defensive concerns for Borthwick at the moment.

TRY! England 8-7 Samoa | Nigel Ah Wong 22'

17:15 , George Flood

22 mins: Samoa hit back in style!

George’s rogue pass is easily picked off and Samoa burst forward.

There’s a series of punishing carries, including from inside centre Toala.

Scrum-half Taumateine pings it out and there is a great touch from Luatua, with Ah Wong then busting through the attempted challenge of May to score.

The conversion from Sopoaga is successful... just! The England lead is cut to one point!

England 8-0 Samoa

17:14 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Farrell’s penalty pushes the Saracens star’s Test points total for England to a record 1180, one point more than Jonny Wilkinson. Another big milestone ticked off for the England captain.

PENALTY! England 8-0 Samoa | Owen Farrell 18’

17:10 , George Flood

18 mins: And there it is!

Farrell’s easy kick in front of the posts sails through and he overtakes Jonny Wilkinson as England’s all-time leading points scorer.

A great moment for the England captain.

An 11-year record falls. Hats off to him.

England 5-0 Samoa

17:09 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy

England’s midfield set-up already looks far more effective, with Farrell sending Tuilagi crashing straight through Samoa’s line in some style.

Ford and Farrell are straight back in the saddle here.

England 5-0 Samoa

17:08 , George Flood

15 mins: Samoa are under severe pressure now, with Tuilagi just wrapped up as he looks to set Steward away to his right.

Farrell then can’t keep the attack alive from close range.

May is now speeding through the line, with Ford aiming a delicious kick in behind that hooker George ends up chasing.

It doesn’t come off, but that was a free shot with a penalty advantage.

Farrell points to the posts and with a straightforward kick will now surely become England’s all-time record points scorer.

Get the cameras ready...

England 5-0 Samoa

17:06 , George Flood

England 5-0 Samoa

17:04 , George Flood

12 mins: Sopoaga would like that kick back as an England infringement gives Samoa a quick chance to reduce the early lead to two points.

But the ex-Wasps fly-half miscues a simple effort badly. Ouch.

England 5-0 Samoa

17:02 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Tuilagi sets up Chessum for the game’s first score, drawing the defence before sending the big Leicester lock home in the corner.

Neat work from England moving the ball wide at pace and cutting the line.

TRY! England 5-0 Samoa | Ollie Chessum 9’

16:59 , George Flood

9 mins: England score the first try of the afternoon!

It’s been end-to-end stuff over the last couple of minutes, with England countering at speed as Marchant finds Steward, who sucks in the last defender and offloads to Tuilagi.

Tuilagi sprints forward and tees up towering lock Chessum on his left shoulder, with the Leicester man then galloping through to touch down.

Is this the record moment for Farrell from the tee? Not just yet as his conversion drifts wide to the left. 5-0 it stays.

England 0-0 Samoa

16:57 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy

A 30-metre driving maul wins England a penalty for Samoa collapsing, then the Red Rose men go to the corner for another set-piece.

This time Samoa defend the drive however, and even turn the ball over. England then concede a penalty for offside to boot, in a sloppy waste of a scoring chance.

England 0-0 Samoa

16:56 , George Flood

7 mins: England waste their first real attacking opportunity with a sloppy knock-on, Curry then caught offside as he tries to charge down the clearing kick.

Poor from Borthwick’s side there.

England 0-0 Samoa

16:55 , George Flood

7 mins: Samoa choose to back off the England rolling maul and it barrels forward at speed, making an enormous gain before being cynically stopped by Saracens flanker McFarland.

England 0-0 Samoa

16:53 , George Flood

5 mins: Roars from the England pack as they earn the scrum penalty, Samoa captain Ala’alatoa forced to lose his bind.

The England penalty is boomed into touch downfield.

England 0-0 Samoa

16:52 , George Flood

3 mins: Samoa quickly ask questions of the England lineout with a kick to the corner.

And it’s an errant throw from Jamie George, giving Samoa the put-in at a scrum on the 22-metre line.

England on the defensive at the start of this Pool D clash. Lively stuff already.

England 0-0 Samoa

16:51 , George Flood

2 mins: A great start for Samoa who secure an early turnover and then attack with trademark strength and physicality.

They carry brilliantly through the middle, leaving England scrambling a little in defence.

The pressure is still on...

England vs Samoa

16:47 , George Flood

Underway in Lille!

Can England make it four wins from four to finish perfect in Pool D?

Andrew Brace of Ireland is today’s referee, with England in white shirts, white shorts and red socks.

Samoa wearing their familiar blue shirts with white shorts and socks.

Ford kicks to get us off and running.

England vs Samoa

16:46 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Time for Manu Tuilagi to take on his homeland of Samoa for the first time in his career.

Tuilagi was unmoved as Samoa performed their Siva Tau war dance before kick-off, but then crossed himself and pointed to the skies as the teams walked to their kick-off stations.

England vs Samoa

16:44 , George Flood

Samoa are now performing their traditional pre-match Siva Tau war dance, while ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ rings out from the England fans in Lille.

A huddle and a prayer first. Really powerful stuff as always.

England vs Samoa

16:43 , George Flood

The teams are out at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy!

Time for the national anthems.

England vs Samoa

16:38 , George Flood

Final preparations in Lille!

Topsy Ojo: Tuilagi a target for Samoa... but it’s a sign of respect

16:26 , George Flood

Representing multiple heritages is a big part of modern culture in professional sport, writes Topsy Ojo.

I played proudly for England, but I’m also of Nigerian descent.

So when representing England, I was actually representing Africa as well.

People do see that, and, hopefully, that made them proud. I know it did for me and my family.

Hopefully, that’s how everyone will see it for Manu Tuilagi, when the England centre goes up against his homeland of Samoa.

Being a representative of multiple cultures is quite common now in rugby — just look at South Africa and Tonga last weekend.

Click here to read the column in full

England vs Samoa

16:21 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Finally England get back to Rugby World Cup action after their bye week, and finally England will complete their Pool D campaign.

The round robin stage of the World Cup has ground on for five weeks. Once the knockout phase starts, the rest of the competition will zip by in a flash.

England will hope they can jump on that momentum and crank up their level considerably for the crux of this tournament.

And that process has to move onto another level today, against a Samoa side that will be bullish, but ought to be eminently beatable for England.

England vs Samoa

16:13 , George Flood

Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Dallaglio: Vunipola gamble hasn’t paid off for England

15:59 , George Flood

Billy Vunipola appears to be a gamble that has not yet paid off for England at this Rugby World Cup, writes Lawrence Dallaglio.

The Saracens No 8 has had to battle for fitness after a knee injury, and then had to deal with a red-card suspension too.

Now the 30-year-old is fully fit and needs match minutes to hit his top form. But England boss Steve Borthwick has selected the in-form Ben Earl ahead of Vunipola to face Samoa.

Earl fully deserves his selection to start England’s final Pool D match on Saturday, but the Red Rose side also need Vunipola at his very best.

So Vunipola’s selection for the World Cup still feels like a gamble that has not yet paid off. Anyone who wants to dress it up any differently would be hiding from the truth at this point.

Click here to read the column in full

Farrell to remain goal-kicker despite Ford return

15:48 , George Flood

There might have been some doubt as to whether Farrell would get the record today with Ford coming back into the side at fly-half.

However, it has been confirmed that the captain will remain as England’s goal-kicker against Samoa this afternoon.

So one conversion or penalty will get the job done.

15:36 , George Flood

Here’s that list of England’s all-time leading points scorers, with Jonny Wilkinson having held the record since 2011.

Farrell is set to break it in 18 more caps than Wilkinson, with Paul Grayson and Rob Andrew a very distant third and fourth.

George Ford is next at number five...

Tuilagi turns family dynasty full circle in Samoa clash

15:24 , George Flood

England’s Manu Tuilagi will take on Samoa for the first time today, turning his family dynasty full circle, writes Nick Purewal in Lille.

Tuilagi hails from Fogapoa, on Savai’i island, a village with a population of 309, but a hamlet where one name hangs on the lips of the locals.

And that is because the Tuilagi tribe has trotted the globe, stunning would-be tacklers and adoring fans, from the Pacific Islands to the East Midlands – and everywhere in between.

Freddie, Andy, Alesana, Henry, Vavae and Manu Tuilagi all graced Leicester’s colours with distinction. Manu’s five other Tuilagi siblings who made a living out of rugby all represented Samoa.

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England vs Samoa lineups

15:11 , George Flood

Here are today’s lineups in full...

England: Steward; Marchant, Tuilagi, Farrell (c), May; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, George, Cole, Itoje, Chessum, Lawes, Curry, Earl.

Replacements: Dan, Marler, Sinckler, Martin, Vunipola, Care, Smith, Lawrence.

Samoa: Paia’aua; Ah Wong, Manu, Toala, Fomai; Sopoaga, Taumateine; Jordan Lay, Malolo, Alaalatoa (c), Slade, Alainu’u’ese, McFarland, Lee, Luatua.

Replacements: Lam, James Lay, Alo-Emile, Fa’aso’o, Motuga, Matavao, Lealiifano, Fai’ilagi.

Pool D permutations

15:10 , George Flood

England have already topped Pool D and look set to face Fiji in a Marseille quarter-final next Sunday, with the latter needing just one match point against Portugal in Toulouse tomorrow to confirm second place in Pool C and eliminate Australia in the process.

The winner of Japan vs Argentina in Nantes tomorrow, meanwhile, will finish second in Pool D and book a last-eight showdown with Pool C leaders Wales.

Samoa could yet sneak into the quarters themselves however, if they beat England by at least 29 points today – and Japan and Argentina draw tomorrow with neither team claiming a try bonus point.

An extremely tall order indeed!

Farrell set to break Wilkinson record as highest England points scorer

14:53 , George Flood

A huge milestone looms for Owen Farrell in Lille this afternoon.

After his 16 points off the boot against Chile at the same venue a fortnight ago that came with eight successful conversions, the Saracens stalwart now needs just two more to overtake the great Jonny Wilkinson as England’s highest points scorer of all time in Test rugby.

“I haven’t given it too much thought,” Farrell said of the record this week.

“It’s not something that you like to think about too much before anything is done. My sole concentration is on the game at the weekend and preparing for what is a massive test against Samoa.

“The one thing I will say is it has been an honour to have the chance to play for England as much as I have.

“To be in the vicinity of that record, to be able to play with this group of players and all the players I have played with before and the staff, the one thing I would say is it has been an honour so far.”

England vs Samoa prediction

14:39 , George Flood

Much-changed England started slowly against Chile before producing an emphatic rout that followed a more low-key win over Japan and that superb opening weekend defeat of the Pumas.

Borthwick has faced some real tough selection calls with a likely quarter-final date with Fiji looming and it is essential that he gets the formula right, particularly those tricky backline combinations.

Samoa also brushed aside Chile and would have expected to be bested by Argentina, but the Japan result was a disappointment after Lam’s sending off.

However, they will be remain fully motivated here to ensure that they are able to secure automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup.

England to win, but without a bonus point.

Samoa team news

14:37 , George Flood

Samoa, meanwhile, show nine changes to the team that lost 28-22 to Japan in Toulouse last weekend - a result that guaranteed England’s progression through to the quarter-finals as Pool D winners.

Jordan Lay, Sama Malolo and captain Michael Alaalatoa form an all-new front row, with locks Sam Slade and Brian Alainu’u’ese making it a completely re-tooled tight five.

Only Saracens’ Theo McFarland, Fritz Lee, Bristol’s Steven Luatua, Jonathan Taumateine, Tumua Manu and Duncan Paia’aua are retained in the starting XV.

Former Wasps star Lima Sopoaga is preferred to Christian Leali’ifano at fly-half.

Montpellier wing Ben Lam misses out having been handed a three-game ban by World Rugby after his red card for a dangerous tackle on Japan back-rower Lappies Labuschagne last weekend that left Samoa down to 14 men for most of the second half in Toulouse.

England team news

14:30 , George Flood

Steve Borthwick makes 14 changes to the experimental England team that destroyed and shut out minnows Chile in an 11-try blitz in Lille a fortnight ago.

Owen Farrell is the only player from that emphatic victory to retain his starting berth, with the captain moving from fly-half to inside centre to facilitate the return of George Ford at 10.

Manu Tuilagi lines up against the country of his birth for the first time this afternoon at outside centre, with usual centre Joe Marchant selected on the wing opposite Jonny May and Freddie Steward taking back the full-back jersey.

Marcus Smith drops to the bench despite his superb display at 15 against Chile and Henry Arundell doesn’t even make the matchday squad despite equalling an England record with five tries last time out.

Ben Earl is also preferred to Saracens team-mate Billy Vunipola at No 8 and Tom Curry returns from suspension at openside flanker.

Where to watch England vs Samoa

14:24 , George Flood

TV channel: England vs Samoa is available to watch live and free to air today in the UK on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 4:15pm.

Live stream: Fans can also catch the action live online via the ITVX website and app.

Welcome to England vs Samoa LIVE coverage

14:18 , George Flood

Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s latest LIVE coverage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Later on we’ll have blow-by-blow updates from Paris as Ireland and Scotland collide in a massive clash in Pool B, but first it’s off to Lille where England conclude their successful group-stage campaign against Samoa.

It’s been a surprisingly impressive tournament for the Red Rose men so far to provide a real lift to Steve Borthwick’s downbeat early tenure following an otherwise woeful 2023 and dismal warm-up campaign, with top spot in Pool D already assured and a quarter-final to come - most likely against Fiji - in Marseille next weekend.

But Borthwick will want his charges to stay sharp and focused this afternoon after a two-week break following their 71-0 demolition of debutants Chile in Lille as they face a physical Samoa team that always pose a threat and still have a chance of going through themselves - though it’s extremely remote.

Kick-off today is at 4:45pm BST, so keep it right here for live updates including expert analysis from the Evening Standard’s rugby correspondent Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.