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England’s Rugby World Cup pool stage campaign comes to a close in Lille today. Steve Borthwick’s rejuvenated side will be looking to make it four wins from four after a two-week break to head into the quarter-finals with real confidence and momentum, already guaranteed to progress as Pool D winners after bouncing back in impressive fashion from a dismal warm-up schedule.
But despite having already locked in a last-eight clash in Marseille on October 15, most likely against Fiji, England will not want to rest on their laurels with a stern physical test coming this afternoon. Samoa – who make nine personnel changes – can still reach the quarter-finals themselves as runners-up, but would need to win by at least 29 points today and hope that tomorrow’s shootout between Argentina and Japan in Nantes is drawn with neither side claiming a try bonus point.
Manu Tuilagi faces the country of his birth for the first time today, while old friends and rivals George Ford and Owen Farrell are also reunited as the 10-12 partnership. Follow England vs Samoa live below, with expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy!
Live updates
England 18-17 Samoa
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
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
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.
TRY! England 18-17 Samoa | Danny Care 73′
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
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
69 mins: Trademark sniping from Care as Samoa are caught offside and England have a scrum against an undermanned defence.
This feels like an absolutely pivotal moment in this game.
A reminder that England have never previously lost to Samoa.
England 11-17 Samoa
65 mins: Danny Care is on at scrum-half for England, replacing Mitchell.
Christian Leali’ifano is also on for Samoa, who lose 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
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
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.
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