Samoa forced to change

Injuries to key players have forced four changes in the Samoa XV to take on France at the Stade de France on Saturday.

Centre Paul Williams is out with a fractured cheek bone and is replaced by Johnny Leota who wins his fourth selection, while fullback Faatoina Autagavaia misses out with a broken bone in his left hand, his place going to 20-year-old Robert Lilomaiava, who gets a second cap.

In the pack, Joe Tekori takes over from Dan Leo, who has a knee injury, while Ti'i Paulo is preferred at hooker ahead of Ole Avei.

"We have got injuries to some key players which is unfortunate. But we cannot face up to a team like France with players who are only 70 or 80 percent fit. We need to field players who are 100 percent fit and who can give their all," said coach Stephen Betham.

Samoa: 15 Robert Lilomaiava, 14 Paul Perez, 13 George Pisi, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 David Lemi (captain), 10 Tusiata Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Taiasina Tuifua, 7 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 6 Ofisa Treviranus, 5 Joe Tekori, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Ole Avei, 17 Viliamu Afatia, 18 James Johnston, 19 Faatiga Lemalu, 20 Tivaini Fomai, 21 Jeremy Su'a, 22 Ki Anufe, 23 Reupena Levasa.

Date: Saturday, November 24
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 18.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Alain Rolland (Ireland), Dudley Phillips (Ireland)
TMO: Iain Ramage (Scotland)

AFP