Samoa unchanged for England as they seek to take a 'big scalp'

Samoa have named an unchanged side to face England at Twickenham on Saturday, after pushing Ireland close in Dublin last weekend. Seven of the line-up play for Premiership clubs while only one player, the flanker Ofisa Travarinus, is not on a professional contract. Six of the side play in New Zealand and two in France and with no amateurs on the bench, it is arguably the strongest squad Samoa have assembled for a tour of Europe in the professional era. "We need to take a big scalp to show our intentions of becoming a Tier 1 nation," said Seilala Mapusua, a London Irish centre. "We want to show that we can compete at this level and the new rules help the way we like to play." Mapusua is one of four Premiership players in the back division, along with Paul Williams, David Williams and Alesana Tuilagi, but it was up front where the Samoans made an impact against Ireland, an area where they have traditionally been regarded as relatively weak. They are fortified by the return of the Toulouse prop, Cencus Johnston, to the bench. He missed the clash at the Aviva Stadium following the death of a sister and is one of four France-based replacements. The former Sale hooker Mahroni Schwalger, who now plays for Taranaki, captains the side. Samoa have not played England since the 2007 World Cup, when they lost 44-22 in a group match. They made their last appearance at Twickenham five years ago, when they lost 40-3. Samoa: P Williams; D Lemi, G Pisi, S Mapasua, A Tuilagi; T Lavea, K Fotualii; S Taulafo, M Schwalger (capt), A Perenise, K Thompson, F Levi, O Treviranus, M Salavea, G Stowers. Replacements: T Paulo, C Johnston, J Tekori, A Aiono, J Poluleuligaga, G Williams, F Otto.