Double injury blow for Samoans

Samoa head coach Michael Jones is counting the cost of injuries suffered during warm-up games in England ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

The Samoans have already lost prop Donald Kerslake to a rib injury and may lose lock Filipo Levi to an eye injury.

Jones, speaking at his team’s first press conference in Nanterre, Paris, today, said: “There’s always a risk with warm-up games.

“We had three warm-up games against Harlequins, Northampton and Sale. Donald broke his ribs at our second game in England (against Northampton) and he has already gone home.”

On the Levi injury, he added: “We will potentially lose Filipo Levi, who was hurt in the game against Sale.

“He is in London in hospital after an operation yesterday on a fractured eye socket.

“We are waiting to hear about Filipo and will decide later tonight about possible replacements.”