England v Samoa LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and final score as late Danny Care try prevents upset
England 18-17 Samoa: The Pacific Islanders were minutes away from a first ever win against England but were denied by Care’s late score
Danny Care scored the winning try seven minutes from time to spare England’s blushes and complete a 18-17 victory over superb Samoa in their Rugby World Cup Pool D clash on Saturday.
Two tries from winger Nigel Ah-Wong had Samoa leading deep into the match, but their dreams of a first win over England were ended by poor discipline as they lost centre Tumua Manu to a yellow card and conceded repeated penalties that gave England the territory they needed.
England lost 30-22 to Fiji in a warm-up fixture ahead of the World Cup and may meet them again in the quarter-finals, where they will need an improved performance after a sloppy showing against Samoa where they made numerous handling errors and battled with the high tempo game of the Pacific Islanders.
England had secured top spot in Pool D but advance with a clean sweep of four wins after lock Ollie Chessum scored their opening try on a day when captain Owen Farrell broke Jonny Wilkinson’s points record of 1,178 as he kicked three penalties.
Follow all the action as England face Samoa in their Pool D match plus get all the latest Rugby World Cup odds and tips here:
England 8-17 Samoa
54 mins: NO TRY! Chessum is adjudged to have made a second movement from the ground and so the try isn’t awarded.
Back to the lineout England go.
England 8-17 Samoa
54 mins: A chance again for England as they head to the corner, once more. The maul falls inches short of the line as England look to bundle over from short range.
Chessum thinks he may have got it down over the line...TMO to check.
Before that, a bit of pushing and shoving from both sides. The usual stuff.
England 8-17 Samoa
51 mins: England’s Ford-Farrell pairing has run it’s course for today as the former makes way for Smith. The Harlequins man goes to full-back with Steward moving to wing and Marchant coming into the centres.
PENALTY! England 8-17 Samoa (Sopoaga, 48 mins)
The fly-half adds the extras and Samoa extend their lead.
England 8-14 Samoa
47 mins: After a brief spell of possession for England, they are back under the cosh as Samoa continue their charge up the pitch. Samoa continue to find quick ball but England just about scramble to prevent Ah-Wong from converting again in the corner.
Back for a penalty, though, and a chance to extend their lead.
England 8-14 Samoa
45 mins: England kick for the corner but they are struggling for quick ball from the breakdown and it’s given away!
Paia’aua surges down the left-hand side but it’s a superb tackle from Farrell to deny a near-certain score.
England 8-14 Samoa
43 mins: A better start from England, no doubt, as Curry makes a menace of himself at the breakdown to win a timely penalty for his side.
KICK-OFF: England 8-14 Samoa
England emerge from the tunnel and the travelling fans in Lille will be hoping for a much-improved performance after the break.
Samoa get us under way, then...
HALF-TIME: England 8-14 Samoa
Work to be done for England.
HALF-TIME: England 8-14 Samoa
Let’s have a look at the three first-half tries.
Ollie Chessum powered over in the first ten minutes as England started brightly:
But Samoa responded with Ah-Wong’s tidy finish down the right:
And the Samoan winger would find a second with a superb piece of handling and footwork from a cross-field kick:
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