It’s been unexpectedly and unusually plain sailing for Steve Borthwick’s side in France so far, defying a woeful warm-up campaign and 2023 in general to sit pretty at the top of Pool D with three comfortable wins from as many games.
They have already qualified for the quarter-finals – where they will likely play Fiji in Marseille on October 15 – as group winners courtesy of Japan’s win over Samoa last week, but will want to keep their momentum motoring along in what is sure to be a physical test in Lille on Saturday.
Samoa’s prospects of getting to the last eight are best described as extremely remote at best, needing to beat England by 29 points with a try-scoring bonus point and hope that Argentina and Japan draw with no bonus points in their Nantes shootout on Sunday.
Where to watch England vs Samoa
TV channel: Today’s game will be broadcast live and free to air on ITV1 in the UK, with coverage beginning at 4:15pm BST ahead of a 4:45pm kick-off.
Live stream: ITV will also offer a free live stream online via the ITVX website and app.
Live blog: Follow the action live with Standard Sport’s match blog, featuring expert analysis from rugby correspondent Nick Purewal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
