- No.8 Nick Easter captains England against Samoa
- Flanker Hendre Fourie makes first start as Johnson makes four changes
No.8 Nick Easter leads England for the first time in a full international against Samoa at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday (2.30pm).
The Harlequins back rower takes over from Bath Rugby’s Lewis Moody in a starting line-up showing four changes for the third Investec International.
Team manager Martin Johnson has opted for continuity after the record 35-18 win over Australia, with three changes in the scrum and one in the backline as England prepare to face a Samoan side beaten 20-10 by Ireland at the weekend.
Leeds Carnegie flanker Hendre Fourie makes his first start with James Haskell (Stade Francais) returning in the back row for Moody and Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers). In the front row Bath Rugby’s David Wilson plays at tight head with Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers) dropping to the bench.
Matt Banahan replaces Mike Tindall (Gloucester Rugby) at outside centre to win his sixth cap after five previous appearances on the wing, forming all Bath centre partnership with Shontayne Hape.
Croft is on the bench with David Attwood (Gloucester Rugby) back among the replacements in place of Simon Shaw (London Wasps).
You can buy tickets for England v Samoa now via RFU.com, with adult prices starting from £35.
