Manu Tuilagi is set to get Samoan attention next Saturday. Photo: Getty Images/Dan Mullan
Billy Vunipola warned Manu Tuilagi said Samoa would come after him because he was the victim of harsh Pacific justice during the last World Cup against Tonga.
England number eight Vunipola, whose father Fe'ao represented Tonga at the 1995 and 1999 World Cups, was hit by a Zane Kapeli missile that sent him hard onto his back. The thunderous applause from the Tongan side left Vunipola in no doubt that he had been chosen because of his heritage.
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When will it be?
England play Samoa on Saturday October. The match will start at 16:45 (BST, 17:45 local time).
Where is it?
Stade Pierre-Mauroy is the home stadium of the French football team LOSC Lille. The stadium was renamed in 2013 after the death of the former mayor of Lille and former French Prime Minister Pierre Mauroy.
With a capacity of just over 50,000 people, the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium is one of the largest stadiums in France. Built in 2012, the stadium has a retractable roof, solar panels and two wind turbines to provide electricity.
The stadium will host five group stage matches, including two England games, and will also host the handball and basketball tournaments at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Pierre Mauroy Stadium was one of the venues for the 2016 European Football Championship final. Photo: Reuters/Pavel Kopczynski Who is the judge?
Andrew Brace will be in charge for this match. Brace was criticized back in 2020 for his performance in England's Autumn Nations Cup match against France, but is now a regular feature in major Tests, including England's recent defeat to Argentina and Scotland's win over Wales in the Six Nations.
How to watch next TV
ITV has exclusive rights to broadcast the Rugby World Cup in the UK. This match will be on ITV1.
Read Telegraph Sport's analysis of the best TV commentators and pundits.
Radio commentary will only be available on the BBC, Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds. The BBC says there will be a «bespoke program» in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
How do I get tickets?
Tickets for this match are still available and can be purchased through Official Rugby World Cup Ticketing. portal.
What's the latest news?
With England facing Samoa in the Group D final on October 7, Vunipola has no doubt Tuilagi, whose brothers have represented Samoa, will be in line for the same treatment.
“I know for a fact that the Samoan Boys, as much as they respect and appreciate Manu for what he did to bring out his heritage, they will want to pursue him,” Vunipola said. “Everyone knows that Manu can take care of himself. We will be by his side and try to help as much as we can.
“It happened at the last World Cup against Tonga when I remember being put on my butt and I remember looking up and everyone was cheering on the side of the pitch as if they had won the game. If I put on a Tongan shirt, I'd think, «Let's take that Tongan kid, or whoever thinks he's a Tongan kid, even if he's on the other side.» I still remember them cheering on the bench and it made me laugh.
“The challenge for us is how can we negate their physicality in a game where they want to be physical and will be emotionally charged. We have to be prepared for that influx of energy, physicality, and toughness to ride those waves against a team like Samoa that is going to bring it all.”
After a fast and frantic 71-0 win over Chile, the match against the strong Samoans is likely to suit Vunipola's strengths as a power player and tackler. It has been a frustrating few weeks for the 30-year-old, who served a two-match ban after being sent off for a heavy tackle on Irish defender Andrew Porter.
This meant extra fitness sessions with Aled. Walters, England's head of strength and conditioning. “Once he found out I could ride a wattbike, he tried to use another piece of equipment to challenge me,” Vunipola said. “Now I'm rowing, and it's a completely different thing. I don’t know how people do this sport, but it’s very hard.”
With Ben Earl shining in his absence, Vunipola returned as a substitute against Japan and failed to make his mark against Chile, making just five carries. However, that hasn't shaken his confidence that he can still make an impression at this World Cup.
“It's funny to say that because we beat them (Chile) quite convincingly, but it's hard for me to put all the responsibility on yourself when everyone else is really keen to try and get their hands on the ball,” Vunipola said. “If that means Faz [Owen Farrell] has to give the ball away more, then so be it. But I have absolute confidence in what I bring, and against physical teams I know I can hold my own, and I'm not saying Chile weren't a physical team, but it's harder.
“Obviously I would have liked to have had 15-16 carries, but at the end of the day that’s not what the team needed from me on Saturday. The team needed me to sometimes be the first to arrive in case of a breakdown. It's not often my role and as much as I wanted to get the ball, I fell into that role and was happy to do what the team needed at the weekend. But I felt positive going on the field because the strikers put the defenders in positions where they could run freely and attack.”
What is the recent history between the teams?
England and Samoa have played each other eight times with England maintaining a 100% record of winning every match.
In their last meeting outside the World Cup, England recorded a 48-14 victory over Samoa at Twickenham during the 2017 Autumn International.
What other matches do England have?
- < p>li>Saturday, September 9 – England 27 – Argentina 10.
- Sunday, September 17 – England 34 Japan 12.
- Saturday 23 September — England 71 Chile 0
Who is in the England squad?
England's Rugby World Cup selection has been seriously disrupted by injuries and suspensions. Steve Borthwick named his 33-man squad on 7 August. But after that date:
- Owen Farrell received a four-match ban — ruling him out of the first two World Cup games — for tackling a ball during the warm-up against Wales;
- Jack van Poortvliet was left out of the squad due to injury and replaced by Alex Mitchell;
- Billy Vunipola was suspended for three games for an equally heavy tackle against Ireland, but his suspension was reduced by attending a 'tackle' . school» and returned against Japan;
- Anthony Watson pulled out through injury and was replaced by Jonny May.
You can read Will Greenwood's verdict on the men selected. .
Who is on the Samoan national team?
Seilala Mapuusa, Samoa's coach, has selected three former All Blacks players in his World Cup squad: halfback Lima Sopoaga, flanker Stephen Luatua and prop Charlie Faumuina. Midfielder Christian Lealiifano, also a member of the Samoan national team, represented Australia at the 2019 World Cup.
Mapuusa also announced World Cup co-captains, with Chris Vui and Michael Alaalatoa sharing leadership duties.
Samoa squad for Rugby World Cup 2023
Defenders: Neria Fomai, Alai D'Angelo Leuila, Nigel Ah Wong , Ben Lam, Ed Fidow, Toomua Manu, Danny Toala, Ulupano Junior Seuteni, Duncan Payaaua, Lima Sopoaga, Christian Lealiifano, Jonathan Taumatain, Ereatara Enari, Melanie Matavao.
Forwards: Fritz Lee, So'otala Faaso'o, Jordan Taufua, Alamanda Motuga, Miracle Failagi, Stephen Luatua, Taleni Seu, Chris Wui (co-captain), Sam Slade, Theo McFarland, Brian Alainu' Wese, Charlie Faumuina, Paul Alo-Emil, Michael Alaalatoa (co-captain), Jordan Lay, Seilala Lam, Sama Malolo, Luteru Tolai.
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