By Kath +Sportsbeat Video
November 20 2014

I am happy to see Ben Morgan in and thought Ford would definitely get his start. However, I think Farrell should have been on the bench and I hope we are not seeing a bit of nepotism by the management here. In this instance, I will give the benefit of the doubt but Farrell had better have a super fantastic game for me on Saturday day otherwise I will not be happy.  England need to win this game otherwise they will have truly undone all the good work form the earlier Six Nations and summer tour. We just can't be sloppy, or lose focus for one moment.

England v Samoa
QBE International 3rd Test
22nd November 2014 - Twickenham KO 7.00 pm

(Live on Sky Sports 2HD)

 
After a fifth-straight loss on Saturday – England going down 31-28 to South Africa at Twickenham – head coach Lancaster has made five changes for the visit of Samoa this weekend. None of those changes have been talked about more than seeing Ford handed his first start in the England No.10 jersey, the 21-year-old having made four appearances off the bench since his debut against Wales back in March.   Lancaster insists he has full confidence that George Ford can boss England back into shape on his first senior start – revealing the young fly-half has already started throwing his weight around. And Lancaster is adamant Ford will shine on the big stage, insisting that he is already belittling his age in training since being told he had been given the nod.

Head Coach Stuart Lancaster has been under immense pressure this week more than he ever has been in the past and he talked to Ryan at Sportsbeat about his selection:-  “Obviously there are some exciting combinations to look at, especially in the eight, nine, ten category I think,” he said. “It is a big step for George to come into this environment and team but equally it is about George.    It is about George taking control and running the ship the way he wants to run it. “He is a confident player. Having been in camp for two-and-a-half weeks now I think he is ready to take the lead role. “I think he will be fine handling it [the pressure]. I don’t have any problems about that at all.         He is a very confident and mature young rugby player, we have to remember his age and how young he is. “But he is experienced and the way that he manages a game is way, way beyond his age, but it will still be a big step.   “When I told him I told him you’re the boss and let’s get bossy and he has done that.      He direct and organises the team. He will take the kicking responsibilities and could be playing in a World Cup and be responsible for that so he needs to know about that.” 

After clashes with world champions New Zealand and the number two ranked side South Africa already this month, throwing Ford in against the less-fancied Samoa seems like Lancaster has taken the safe option. However the 45-year-old is warning his troops they still face a battle on their hands this weekend.

“For Samoa it will be their cup final,” Lancaster added. “I saw them beat Wales in a similar fixture a couple of years ago in November. There are a very difficult team to play against.   “It will be a huge occasion for them and they will be incredibly physical and competitive from the get go.  “For us it is not a game we can take lightly whatsoever. We have to build a platform and expand our game if conditions allow but I’m sure they will be trying to do the same to us.”

 Samsung are the Official Consumer Electronics & Smartphone Partner of the England Rugby Team. For more information, offers and competitions visit www.facebook.com/SamsungSport  or follow us on Twitter @SamsungSport

England Fly Half George Ford (centre) during a training session at Pennyhill Park Hotel - All Pictures paimages.

England: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Anthony Watson (Bath), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester), George Ford (Bath), Ben Youngs (Leicester), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Rob Webber (Bath), David Wilson (Bath), Dave Attwood (Bath), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), James Haskell (Wasps), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, captain), Ben Morgan (Gloucester).

Replacements: Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Kieran, Brookes (Newcastle), George Kruis (Saracens), Tom Wood (Northampton), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Marland Yarde (Harlequins).

Samoa: 15 Ken Pisi, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Reynold Lee-Lo, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 David Lemi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Ofisa Treviranus, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Filo Paulo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Zak Taulafo.
Replacements: 16 Manu Leiataua, 17 Viliamu Afatia, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Fa'atiga Lemalu, 20 Dan Leo, 21 TJ Ioane, 22 Pete Cowley, 23 Mike Stanley.

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referee: Mathieu Raynal (France), Dudley Phillips (Ireland)