Samoa unveil starting XV

Samoa have named nine European-based players in their starting line-up for Saturday's clash with Ireland.

Pacific Islanders hoping to condemn Irish to seventh straight defeat

Samoa have named nine European-based players in their starting line-up for Saturday's clash with Ireland at the Aviva Stadium. All nine compete in the Aviva Premiership or Top 14 in France, forming part of an experienced side hoping to inflict a seventh straight defeat on the Irish. Leicester winger Alesana Tuilagi is among their star names and is joined by big-hitting London Irish duo Seilala Mapusua and George Stowers, who start at centre and number eight respectively. Wasps regular David Lemi fills the right wing slot while Tasesa Lavea of Clermont will direct operations at fly-half. Lavea is one of four representatives from Clermont in the 22 with Paul Williams at full-back and Tii Paulo and Gavin Williams on the bench. Taranaki hooker Mahonri Schwalger leads a side that also contains five players who compete New Zealand's ITM Cup. Samoa: 15 P Williams (Clermont), 14 D Lemi (Wasps), 13 G Pisi (Taranaki), 12 S Mapusua (London Irish), 11 A Tuilagi (Leicester), 10 T Lavea (Clermont), 9 K Fotualii (Canterbury); 1 S Taulafo (Wasps), 2 M Schwalger (Taranaki, capt), 3 A Perenise (Hawkes Bay), 4 F Lavea Levi (Newcastle), 5 K Thompsen (Southland), 6 O Trevarinus (Malie, Samoa), 7 M Salavea (Narbonne), 8 G Stowers (London Irish).
Replacements: 16 T Paulo (Clermont), 17 S Lemalu (Counties Manukau), 18 I Tekori (Castres), 19 A Aiono (Leulumoega, Samoa), 20 J Poluleuligaga (Exeter), 21 G Williams (Clermont), 22 J Helleur (Auckland).