ALL week England coach Brian Ashton claimed that confidence was rising, that it was getting better. That soon we would see the real England.

England head coach Brian Ashton, buoyed by last Saturday's encouraging 44-22 victory over Samoa, makes two changes for tonight's clash with Samoa, with lock Steve Borthwick and flanker Lewis Moody both called up.

SAMOA coach Michael Jones was angry that his side were out-fought by Pacific Island rivals Tonga in their 19-15 defeat in Montpellier.

THE United States Eagles refused to use their heroics against England as an excuse for their failure to beat Tonga in their World Cup Pool A clash in Montpellier yesterday.

Gareth Cooper scampered over for an opportunist try but Wales were forced to battle Tonga and the teeming rain to earn a narrow half-time lead in Canberra.