Preview: Canada v Samoa
While Samoa will be looking to put their recent internal spats behind them, Canada will look to build on last week's impressive win over Namibia.
It required intervention by the IRB and a players association to avert the threat of Samoan players taking strike action.
They are reported to have cited dissatisfaction with the union's financial management and transparency, along with concern over its general administration and alleged interference in team selection.
In contrast Canada coach Kieran Crowley was able to concentrate on getting his team a proper build-up.
Following a loss to a Championship XV side in Worcester on November 2, Canada snapped a three-Test match losing streak last weekend in Colwyn Bay, Wales, with a narrow 17-13 victory over Namibia.
This weekend, Crowley's 17th ranked side will take on 11th ranked Samoa, who are fresh off a 13-24 loss last weekend to Canada's World Cup opponent Italy in Ascoli Piceno.
Before last weekend's loss Manu Samoa held the ninth spot in world rankings.
For the third consecutive game, Canada will be lead by captain Hubert Buydens at loosehead prop, with Aaron Carpenter and Jason Marshall rounding out the front row. In the second row, 31-cap veteran Jamie Cudmore returns to Canada's line-up alongside Brett Buekeboom of Plymouth Albion.
With John Moonlight returning home to prepare for the Dubai and South Africa legs of the IRB Sevens World Series, Canada's back row features Kyle Gilmour, Nanyak Dala and Jebb Sinclair.
All three played a crucial role in Canada's victory last weekend, with Dala scoring the game-winning try.
Crowley's backline looks similar to last weekend, the biggest change sees Canada's all-time points leader returning to his usual fullback position, and DTH van der Merwe moving to the wing.
Gord McRorie, Connor Braid, Ciaran Hearn and Conor Trainor all return from last weekend.
Osprey's standout Jeff Hassler, who was a last-minute scratch from the line-up before facing Namibia, returns to the wing and will be a major offensive boost for the backline.
Canada's substitutions include Ray Barkwill, Jake Ilnicki, Andrew Tiedemann, Jon Phelan and Richard Thorpe of London Welsh. Thorpe, whose mother is from Burlington, Ontario and is a dual Canada-England citizen, is a mobile back row forward who could receive his first Cap off the bench.
Replacement backs include Sean White, Pat Parfrey and Jordan Wilson-Ross, with the latter making his debut last weekend.
Canada and Samoa last faced off two years ago and the Pacific Island nation easily won that contest 42-12 at Parc Eirias in North Wales.
Players to watch:
For Canada: Wing Jeff Hassler will look to make an impact on his return to the starting XV, while Jebb Sinclair – moved from lock to No.8, is always good value for the Canucks.
For Samoa: You don't have to look much further than scrumhalf Kahn Fotuali'i for the spark and brains in the side, while flank TJ Ioane also have a key role to play.
Head to head: The Canadians are not know for their strong set pieces, but locks Brett Buekeboom and Jamie Cudmore, as well as the front row of Jason Marshall, Aaron Carpenter and Hubert Buydens will be required to lay a solid foundation against Dan Leo, Filo Paulo (at lock), Census Johnston, Wayne Ole Avei and Zac Taulafo (in the Samoan front row).
Previous results:
1999: Samoa won 17-13, Vancouver
2000: Samoa won 41-22, Apia
2012: Samoa won 42-12, Colwyn Bay
Prediction: The abrasive nature of the Samoan game always seems to be too much for the Canadians, who struggle to maintain their composure. Samoa to win by 15 to 20 points.
The teams:
Canada: 15 James Pritchard, 14 Jeff Hassler, 13 Conor Trainor, 12 Ciaran Hearn, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Connor Braid, 9 Gordon McRorie, 8 Jebb Sinclair, 7 Nanyak Dala, 6 Kyle Gilmour, 5 Brett Buekeboom, 4 Jamie Cudmore, 3 Jason Marshall, 2 Aaron Carpenter, 1 Hubert Buydens (captain).
Replacements: 16 Ray Barkwill, 17 Jake Ilnicki, 18 Andrew Tiedemann, 19 Jon Phelan, 20 Richard Thorpe, 21 Sean White, 22 Patrick Parfrey, 23 Jordan Wilson-Ross.
Samoa: 15 Ahsee Tuala, 14 Alofa Alofa, 13 Rey Lee Lo, 12 Alapati Leiua, 11 David Lemi (captain), 10 Michael Stanley, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Ofisa Treviranus, 7 TJ Ioane, 6 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 5 Dan Leo, 4 Filo Paulo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Wayne Ole Avei, 1 Zac Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Maatulimanu Leiataua, 17 Viliamu Afatia, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Kane Thompson, 20 Jack Lam, 21 Pele Cowley, 22 Winston Stanley, 23 Faatoina Autagavaia.
Date: Friday, November 14
Venue: Stade de la Rabine, Vannes
Kick-off: 19.00 (18.00 GMT; 13.00 Canadian eastern time, 10.00 Canadian Pacific time; 08.00, Saturday, November 15, Samoan time)
Expected weather: Considerable clouds with rain tapering off. High of 14°C and low of 10°C
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland), Alexandre Ruiz (France)
TMO: Geoff Warren (England)
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