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:
PENALTY! England 8-0 Samoa (Farrell, 18 mins)
18 mins: An infringement in the middle of the park from Samoa and England opt to kick.
A simpler chance for Farrell this time..and he converts to become England’s record points scorer, overtaking the great Jonny Wilkinson whose record stood for 22 years.
England 5-0 Samoa
15 mins: An electric start from Tuilagi against his country of birth as the centre surges through once again. He can’t quite find the ball out to Marchant on the wing and Samoa eventually do well to win the lineout as England look to squeeze in down the right side.
PENALTY MISSED! England 5-0 Samoa
12 mins: Taumateine has a simple chance to get Samoa on the board swiftly after that England score but he uncharacteristically pulls the penalty kick wide and the scores remain as they were.
TRY! England 5-0 Samoa (Chessum, 9 mins)
The perfect start for England who work it excellently from the lineout. The Samoan defence overcommit as Steward releases Tuilagi to create a two-on-one.
He feeds Chessum on the wing and the England lock charges over the line for the first score.
Farrell can’t add the extras so Jonny Wilkinson’s record is safe for now.
England 0-0 Samoa
8 mins: A rare sight as the loose ball arrives at the hands of George on the winger. The hooker needs no second invitation and charges down the wing before kicking over the top. A superb chase from May forces Samao to clear for touch and England will have the ball again.
England 0-0 Samoa
6 mins: Samoa opt not to contest the lineout and do well to repel the shove from England’s lineout. Borthwick’s side throw bodies into the resulting ruck but an eventual knock on and penalty allows Samoa to clear.
England 0-0 Samoa
4 mins: Notch that one up as an early win for England as they secure a penalty from the scrum. From the lineout, it’s a superb drive into the 22 and, although the play breaks down, the ref goes back for an earlier penalty and and England kick into the corner.
Big opportunity for an early score here.
England 0-0 Samoa
3 mins: A busy start as both sides get plenty of ball in hand in the early exchanges. Scrum time now on the edge of England’s 22.
KICK-OFF! England 0-0 Samoa
The anthems are sung, Samoa perform their Siva Tau and we are all set here in Lille for the final group game as Ford gets England under way.
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