England vs Samoa live: Elliot Daly scores twice as Eddie Jones' side end 2017 on a high in seven-try rout
Re-live the action from the autumn international at Twickenham
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Your support makes all the difference.England take on Samoa in their third and final autumn international at Twickenham, with Eddie jones deploying an understrength side to give his fringe players a chance as they hope to end the year with nine wins from 10 matches. Follow the latest here.
- England vs Samoa kicks off at 15:00 GMT
- England make nine changes to starting XV with Owen Farrell rested
- Dylan Hartley among the replacements so Jamie George makes first start
- Sam Simmonds also makes debut start at No 8
- Genge, Ewels, Lozowski and Slade all brought in
- Samoa looking to claim their first victory over England
Follow the live action below...
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Preview...
England face Samoa in their final autumn international this year, with Eddie Jones’ side looking to make it nine wins from 10 matches to sign-off 2017 on a high and prepare for February’s Six Nations with momentum.
After victories over Argentina and Australia this month, England will hope to add the scalp of Samoa to their list of conquered opponents, with Jones winning 21 of his 22 matches in charge of the national team – the only blotch remaining the Six Nations defeat by Ireland.
With Samoa struggling both on and off the field, Jones has made plenty of changes to his side, with a number of fringe players coming in with the chance to impress. Captain Dylan Hartley is named among the replacements for the first time since November 2014, while Owen Farrell is rested completely for the second time in three matches.
Both Jamie George and Sam Simmonds make their first starts for England, the former ending a world record run of 19 consecutive Test appearances from the bench, whil Chris Robshaw and George Ford co-captain the side.
Samoa name the creative Chiefs back Tim Nanai-Williams at fly-half, while Northampton Saints full-back Ahsee Tuala is also named in the starting XV.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Test.
When is it?
England vs Samoa takes place on Saturday 25 November at Twickenham Stadium.
What time does it start?
The match is scheduled to kick-off at 15:00 GMT.
Where can I watch it?
England vs Samoa will be shown live on Sky Sports Action from 14:30 and on Sky Sports Main Event from 14:55. Highlights will be shown on BBC Two from 13:00. You can also follow the match live here with The Independent.
Teams...
England: Mike Brown; Jonny May, Henry Slade, Alex Lozowski, Elliot Daly; George Ford, Danny Care; Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Dan Cole; Joe Launchbury, Charlie Ewels; Maro itoje, Chris Robshaw, Sam Simmonds.
Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Joe Marler, Harry Williams, Nick Isiekwe, Courtney Lawes, Ben Youngs, Piers Francis, Semesa Rokoduguni.
Samoa: AhseeTuala, Paul Perez, Kieron Fonotia, Alapati Leiua, David Lemi; Tim Nanai-Williams, Dwayne Polataivao; Jordan Lay, Motu Matu'u, Donald Brighouse; Josh Tyrell, Chris Vui; Piula Fa’asalele, TJ Ioane, Jack Lam.
Replacements: Manu Leiataua, Jay Lay, Hisa Sasagi, Fa’atiga Lemalu, Ofisa Treviranus, Melani Matavao, Rey Lee-Lo, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.
33 mins: England win another penalty - the sixth of the half against Samoa - and Ford turns down the kick to go for touch. The driving maul isn't great without Launchbury though, and Samoa manage to turn the ball over only to knock it on. England have the scrum, but again Samoa are early and the free-kick is given. England go quickly, but they lose the ball through Care and Samoa clear.
37 mins: Robshaw tries to force the offload, but only succeeds in giving the ball to Lam and Samoa can counter. They're into English territory, and quickly win a penalty against Lozowski. However, Nanai-Williams misses touch and Daly kicks clear. Just like last week, the ball flirts with that far touchline, but touch judge Nigel Owens deems it to have hit the line. He helps out Brace to make the right decision, and as the ball touched the line, it's not out on the full, so Samoa will have the lineout in their own half rather than England's.
Robshaw steals the lineout and England attack, and they soon have another penalty in the Samoan 22 on the right as Fonotia doesn't release. The referee gives Samoa the team warning, and Ford goes for touch.
40 mins: The maul goes nowhere, and Lozowski drops the ball on the crash ball. Samoa kick deep, and Brown decides to end the half as he kicks the ball out.
HALF-TIME: ENGLAND 22-7 SAMOA
H/T: Very much a regulation half from England, with tries scored by Mike Brown - in the second minute - Alex Lozowski and Charlie Ewels building a handsome lead. Samoa are well in this though, and their try from Piula Fa'asalele could well have been added to had Fonotia taken his chance. England are well in control though, and I reckon they might be eyeing the 50-point mark in the second half.
The two teams are back out and we're ready to get the second half underway...
42 mins: England are nearly in inside the first two minutes of the half starting again! Brown breaks from his own half, and he has Lozowski and Care for support in a three-on-two. He feeds Lozowski, who tries to feed Care, but the scrum-half has slightly over-run the pass and the ball is knocked forwards as he grasps at it. Had he collected, it was a certain try.
45 mins: A rollercoaster minute for Dan Cole. He concedes a penalty for coming in at the side, but from the following lineout, he seals the turnover and Care is able to chip into touch inside the Samoa 22. The good and the bad of the tighthead prop.
47 mins: We've got a stoppage here and it's a worrying one. Jonny may has gone down and one of the England players is heard on the microphone saying "this could be a long one, ref". The replay shows that he's taken a bad hit to the head, and it's an immediate removal from the game as he's suffered a concussion. Thankfully, he's up and walking, and leaves the field under his own power, with Semesa Rokoduguni on in his place.
The replay also reveals that it was caused by a swinging arm from Leiua that hit May in the face, and that probably should have been a TMO review.
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