KEY POINTS:
Samoa can shove the terminally ill England a step closer to the World Cup trapdoor in Nantes early tomorrow.
Ponderous England have mounted the most wretched campaign of any previous World Cup champion in the following tournament, yet might still make the quarter-finals.
They were ordinary in beating
the United States 28-10 and clueless as the Springboks belted them 36-0.
Samoa got a shock when fired-up Tonga beat them last weekend and yet although they are 0-from-2 so far, they can still pip both for a quarter-final spot with a win in their pool A clash tomorrow.
Tonga must play South Africa, then England; Samoa should finish with a win against the US.
However, defeat against England means they will be gone before the knockout stage. "We are all very clear on the significance of this game and what it means in terms of what we represent to our country, our families, all the good things we play for," coach Michael Jones said.
"If we get it wrong - we don't even want to think about it."
Two bits of good news for Samoa - blockbusting No 8 Henry Tuilagi is back after missing the Tongan game with a shoulder injury. His thunderous charges were one of the abiding memories of their clash with the Springboks.
And Brian Lima returns at centre, after taking a heavy blow against South Africa in attempting one of his flying hammer blow tackles.
But Jones is not about to suggest caution for the 35-year-old at his fifth tournament. "He's very committed to making those tackles. We trust him. He's been playing this game longer than most of us have. It's all a matter of timing and I don't think he'll get the timing wrong."
There is a change at first five-eighths, where Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu returns for Loki Crichton, and bet on Samoa, after trying to play a more structured game against Tonga, will revert to the fire and brimstone style, which has been a hallmark of their best days.
Taking on England in a grinding forward-based arm wrestle will also be wrong. Keeping the sluggish English on the move is essential but they must get more pep into their lineout than they had against the other group heavyweights South Africa.
And Samoa must watch the penalty count. Jonny Wilkinson is back at No 10 for his first game in the cup. If the Samoans get offside with the referee, Wilkinson could kick them out of the cup.
As for Wilkinson - back after injuring his ankle three weeks ago - he's come out with some potty thinking ahead of the match.
"People are always talking about players being in and out of form," he said. "I don't think form has anything to do with it. If everyone creates an environment round themselves on the field and in training, then you're allowed to bring out your strengths, so we've got to turn the thinking and perceptions around."
Figure that lot out.
Samoa V England
Nantes, 2am tomorrow
