Preview: England v Samoa
The sideshows have unfortunately overshadowed the build-up to what should be an intriguing match between England and Samoa at Twickenham on Saturday.
The ongoing battle between the Samoan players and their rugby union have meant the threat of strike action and various reactions to that possibility throughout the rugby world.
England on the other hand have had to deal with the disappointment of narrow losses at home to the two best teams in the world and a revamped line-up will get the chance to secure their first win in six outings on Saturday.
This will give coach Stuart Lancaster the chance to look at a few other options, but they will by no means have things their own way against a Samoan team boasting class and experience despite their off-field troubles.
Lancaster has warned his side to expect a fired-up Samoa side playing their "cup final" at Twickenham on Saturday.
"We're expecting physicality, pride and passion from Samoa," said Lancaster.
"This game is their cup final. It's a great opportunity for them and they'll be hugely motivated."
And for all England's success against Samoa in the past, Lancaster insisted this weekend's clash had the potential to trip up his side if they were not completely on their game.
"I watched them beat Wales in Cardiff a couple of years ago (29-16 in November 2012) in a similar fixture. They are very difficult opposition, so we need to be at our best.
"Just look at the Wales v Fiji game last weekend…Fiji almost won it (losing 17-13).
"We know it's not a game we can take lightly whatsoever because they'll be putting us under pressure."
Lancaster has made five changes and a positional switch to his side.
Under-performing flyhalf Owen Farrell has been moved to inside centre, with Lancaster giving a first Test to Bath's George Ford, all of whose four previous caps have come off the bench.
Lancaster has also dropped scrumhalf Danny Care and recalled Ben Youngs.
Ford and Farrell have been friends since their schooldays and have previously enjoyed success with England youth sides.
Meanwhile, No.8 Ben Morgan, who impressed off the bench against South Africa after Billy Vunipola made several handling errors, has been given a start while flank James Haskell returns in place of Tom Wood, dropped for the first time time by Lancaster.
"James will offer another carrying option, giving us more ball carriers than we've had," Lancaster said.
Rob Webber has been handed a start at hooker following Dylan Hartley's needless yellow card against the Springboks.
Samoa have made six changes to the starting XV that beat Canada 23-13 in Vannes, north-west France, last week.
Ken Pisi is at fullback, Johnny Leota comes in at inside centre and Tusi Pisi starts at flyhalf, while loose forward Jack Lam, lock Kane Thompson and Ti'i Paulo are all in a reshaped pack.
Samoa captain David Lemi said the boycott row had bolstered rather than weakened their resolve.
"It has brought us together and given us more tightness in our preparation and focus for Saturday," Lemi said.
"It is a good test for us – we play the tier two nations but to play against a top five side in the world is a test for us and will tell us where we are ahead of the World Cup," the wing added.
Players to watch:
For England: Mike Brown is always dangerous running from the back, whilst there will be great interest in how Owen Farrell goes in the unfamiliar position of inside centre alongside his old friend and rival George Ford. Ben Youngs will feel he has a point to prove, as will James Haskell, whilst up front Courtney Lawes and Joe Marler will be looking to continue their encouraging form.
For Samoa: Right wing Alapati Leiua had a great season for the Hurricanes this year and will be dangerous if given some space. The experienced Tusi Pisi will look to dictate matters from flyhalf and should be well supported by the proven talents of Kahn Fotuali'i at scrumhalf. In the pack hard-man Jack Lam will not take a backward step whilst in the set-pieces Kane Thompson and big tighthead Census Johnston will be key.
Head to head: The experience of Tusi Pisi will meet the youthful George Ford in the key flyhalf battle, while out wide it will be good to see speedsters Jonny May and Alapati Leiua go up against one another. In the pack beefy Ben Morgan will face speedy Ofisa Treviranus, in the line-outs it will be a battle between Courtney Lawes and Kane Thompson and in the scrums thetussle between Joe Marler and Census Johnston should be epic.
Recent results:
2010: England won 23-13 in London
2007: England won 44-22 in Nantes
2005: England won 40-3 in London
2003: England won 35-22 in Melbourne
1995: England won 27-9 in London
1995: England won 44-22 in Durban
Prediction: Samoa will play with passion and will tear into the hosts, but England should have enough to secure a win at home by about seven points.
Teams:
England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Brad Barritt, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 6 James Haskell, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Dave Attwood, 3 David Wilson, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 George Kruis, 20 Tom Wood, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Billy Twelvetrees, 23 Marland Yarde.
Samoa: 15 Ken Pisi, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Reynold Lee-Lo, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 David Lemi (captain), 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Ofisa Treviranus, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Manu Leiataua, 17 Vilamu Afatia, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Fa'atiga Lemalu, 20 Daniel Leo, 21 TJ Ioane, 22 Pete Cowley, 23 Michael Stanley.
Date: Saturday, November 22
Venue: Twickenham, London
Kick-off: 19.00 (19.00 GMT; 09.00, Sunday, November 23 Samoan time)
Predicted weather: Overcast with 30% chance of showers, high of 15, 15 kph wind
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Mathieu Raynal (France), Dudley Phillips (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
