Ireland v Samoa: Teams
Ireland coach Declan Kidney insists Samoa will present his side with a huge challenge in Dublin on Saturday.
Last Updated: 12/11/10 1:22pm
Ireland coach Declan Kidney insists Samoa will present his side with a huge challenge in Dublin on Saturday.
Samoa have named a strong-looking line-up for the clash - with a number of their top players having been granted permission to take part by their clubs.
That means the likes of Paul Williams, David Lemi, Seilala Mapusua and George Stowers will star for the Pacific Islanders.
And having seen his side lose their seventh straight game with the 23-21 defeat to South Africa, Kidney knows the pressure is on his Ireland players.
"Samoa will be difficult this year," said Kidney. "Sometimes when you play Pacific Islands teams, if it's not a World Cup year they might not get the release of all their players.
"But in World Cup year all of their players have been released.
"You just need to look at their record in the World Cup - they've reached the knockout stages as often if not more often than ourselves.
Challenge
"This will be a huge challenge and we need that to see where we are."
Kidney has made 10 changes for the match, with Peter Stringer, Ronan O'Gara, Paddy Wallace, Andrew Trimble, Devin Toner, John Hayes, Sean O'Brien, Denis Leamy, Tom Court and Sean Cronin.
Samoa have been boosted by the inclusion of a number of their Europe-based players for the clash at the Aviva Stadium.
As well as Williams, Lemi, Mapusua and Stowers, Alesana Tuilagi, Tasesa Lavea and Filipo Levi are also included in the starting XV.
Junior Poluleuligaga, Tii Paulo and Gavin Williams are included on the bench, while former Scarlets and Sale hooker Mahonri Schwalger will skipper the side.
Ireland: 15 Luke Fitzgerald, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (capt), 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Andrew Trimble, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O'Brien, 6 Denis Leamy, 5 Devin Toner, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 John Hayes, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Rory Best, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Donnacha Ryan, 19 Stephen Ferris, 20 Isaac Boss, 21 Jonathan Sexton, 22 Keith Earls.
Samoa: 15 Paul Williams, 14 David Lemi, 13 George Pisi, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tasesa Lavea, 9 Kahn Fotualii, 8 George Stowers, 7 Manaia Salavea, 6 Ofisa Trevarinus, 5 Kane Thompsen, 4 Filipo Levi, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Mahonri Schwalger (capt), 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements:16 Tii Paulo, 17 Simon Lemalu, 18 Iosefa Tekori, 19 Afa Aiono, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Gavin Williams, 22 Jamie Helleur.