already qualified, England snatches a laborious victory against Samoa

Convalescing but far from being cured. If the first three victories of the XV de la Rose had suggested a fairly clear return to form for the patient English, the latter experienced a sudden relapse against Samoa (18-17), Saturday October 7, at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium. Even if they were already assured of finishing in first place in Pool D, the English largely fell back into their mistakes against the surprising Samoans. Their tenacity, as well as a superior physical body and a deeper bench, however allowed them to overcome the players from the Pacific and to project themselves into their quarter-final (either against Fiji or against Australia) .

Their opponents, already eliminated, waited for their last match to really play their game. A game that was both physical and technical which undermined the defense of the “Perfidious Albion”. After conceding the first try of the match, the Samoans multiplied the sequences of play, happily alternating close charges and kicking games, scoring two superb tries by their winger Ah Wong (22nd, 29th). Unfortunately for them, they ended up physically weakening at the end of the match. Reduced to 14 during the final minutes, they gave in to the rush of Dany Care which allowed his team to get back in front. But that doesn’t mean you can be reassured.