Samoa name strong run-on team

Samoa have included nine European-based players in their starting line-up for Saturday’s clash with Ireland.

All nine compete in the Aviva Premiership or French Top 14, forming part of an experienced side hoping to inflict a seventh straight defeat on the Irish.

Leicester winger Alesana Tuilagi is among their star names and is joined by big-hitting London Irish duo Seilala Mapusua and George Stowers, who start at centre and number eight.

Wasps regular David Lemi fills the right wing slot while Tasesa Lavea of Clermont will direct operations at fly-half.

Lavea is one of four representatives from Clermont in the 22 with Paul Williams at full-back and Tii Paulo and Gavin Williams on the bench.

Taranaki hooker Mahonri Schwalger leads a side that also contains five players who compete New Zealand’s ITM Cup.

Manu Samoa Team:

15 - Paul Williams (Clermont Auvergne)

14 - David Lemi (Wasps)

13 - George Pisi (Taranaki)

12 - Seilala Mapusua (London Irish)

11 - Alesana Tuilagi (Leicester)

10 - Tasesa Lavea (Clermont Auvergne)

9 - Kahn Fotualii (Canterbury)

1 - Sakaria Taulafo (Wasps)

2 - Mahonri Schwalger (Taranaki) Captain

3 - Anthony Perenise (Hawkes Bay)

4 - Filipo Lavea Levi (Newcastle)

5 - Kane Thompsen (Southland)

6 - Ofisa Trevarinus (Malie, Samoa)

7 - Manaia Salavea (Narbonne)

8 - George Stowers (London Irish)

Replacements:

16 - Tii Paulo (Clermont Auvergne)

17 - Simon Lemalu (Counties Manukau)

18 - Iosefa Tekori (Castres)

19 - Afa Aiono (Leulumoega, Samoa)

20 - Junior Poluleuligaga (Exeter)

21 - Gavin Williams (Clermont Auvergne)

22 - Jamie Helleur (Auckland)