RWC Pool A Preview – Ireland vs Samoa

In the only match on Saturday Ireland and Samoa are set to compete in Fukuoka. The equation is simple – a win for Ireland is a guaranteed place in the Quarter Finals. Sunday’s remaining Pool A match between Japan and Scotland is presently in grave danger in joining Italy vs New Zealand, and England vs France in being cancelled.

Ireland Head Coach Joe Schmidt has made eleven changes to his side from the team that faced Russia in their previous fixture.

The altered line-up is the first-choice Ireland side. It sees the front-row of Cian Healy, Rory Best and Tadhg Furlong reuniting for a 16th time together in test match rugby.

Also playing together will be the halves combination of Conor Murray and Jonathan Sexton. They will run out together for a staggering 55th time as the starting 9-10 combination for Ireland.

Samoa Head Coach Steve Jackson has made just two changes from his side that lost against Japan in their previous match. They both come in the pack with Logovii Mulipola, and Teofilo Paulo returning to the team to start at loose head prop and lock respectively.

The team selected by Jackson sees Jordan Lay and Piula Faasalele missing out on a place in the starting line-up. Both will feature from the bench as replacements.

The match is to be historic. Never before have Ireland and Samoa met in a RWC match. All six of their prior fixtures were outside of World Cups. Five were played in Dublin, Ireland and one in Apia, Samoa. Ireland have a 5-1 winning record with Samoa’s one victory having been an away match in 1998.

Given the form of both teams in the competition thus far Ireland enter as favorites. Samoa, though are always a team to be taken very seriously. If the Pacific Islanders can maintain strong discipline on the field then they are in with a chance. ARN predicts an Irish victory by 25 points.

TEAMS

IRELAND
1 Cian Healy, 2 Rory Best (capt.), 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Iain Henderson, 5 James Ryan, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Josh Van der Flier, 8 CJ Stander, 9 Conor Murray, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 14 Keith Earls, 15 Jordan Larmour

Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Andrew Conway

SAMOA
1 Logovii Mulipola, 2 Seilala Lam, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 5 Kane Le’aupepe, 6 Chris Vui, 7 TJ Ioane, 8 Jack Lam (capt.), 9 Dwayne Polataivao, 10 Ulupano Seuteni ,11 Ed Fidow, 12 Henry Taefu, 13 Alapati Leiua, 14 Ah See Tuala, 15 Tim Nanai-Williams

Replacements: 16 Ray Niuia, 17 Paul Alo-Emile, 18 Jordan Lay, 19 Piula Faasalele, 20 Josh Tyrell, 21 Pele Cowley, 22 Tusi Pisi, 23 Kieron Fonotia

Date: Saturday, October 12
Kick-Off: 19:45 local (03:45 Pacific, 06:45 Eastern, 07:45 Rio de la Plata)
Venue: Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistants: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Romain Poite (France)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)