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As it happenedended

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England vs Samoa live: Elliot Daly scores twice as Eddie Jones' side end 2017 on a high in seven-try rout

Re-live the action from the autumn international at Twickenham

Jack de Menezes

Twickenham

Friday 24 November 2017 09:35 GMT

Mike Brown celebrates England's first try against Samoa — Mike Brown celebrates England's first try against Samoa (Getty)

England take on Samoa in their third and final autumn international at Twickenham, with Eddie jones deploying an understrength side to give his fringe players a chance as they hope to end the year with nine wins from 10 matches. Follow the latest here.

England vs Samoa kicks off at 15:00 GMT
England make nine changes to starting XV with Owen Farrell rested
Dylan Hartley among the replacements so Jamie George makes first start
Sam Simmonds also makes debut start at No 8
Genge, Ewels, Lozowski and Slade all brought in
Samoa looking to claim their first victory over England

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Preview...

England face Samoa in their final autumn international this year, with Eddie Jones’ side looking to make it nine wins from 10 matches to sign-off 2017 on a high and prepare for February’s Six Nations with momentum.

After victories over Argentina and Australia this month, England will hope to add the scalp of Samoa to their list of conquered opponents, with Jones winning 21 of his 22 matches in charge of the national team – the only blotch remaining the Six Nations defeat by Ireland.

With Samoa struggling both on and off the field, Jones has made plenty of changes to his side, with a number of fringe players coming in with the chance to impress. Captain Dylan Hartley is named among the replacements for the first time since November 2014, while Owen Farrell is rested completely for the second time in three matches.

Both Jamie George and Sam Simmonds make their first starts for England, the former ending a world record run of 19 consecutive Test appearances from the bench, whil Chris Robshaw and George Ford co-captain the side.

Samoa name the creative Chiefs back Tim Nanai-Williams at fly-half, while Northampton Saints full-back Ahsee Tuala is also named in the starting XV.

England vs Australia: Player ratings

Show all 16

1/16England vs Australia: Player ratings

England vs Australia: Player ratings

Anthony Watson – 6 out of 10

Kept quiet with the ball but defensively sound and was bery impressive under the high ball.

Getty Images

England vs Australia: Player ratings

Jonny May – 8 out of 10

Given plenty of catching practice early on, with relatively poor results as the slippery ball caused lots of trouble. Started to click in the second half though, and finished his try superbly well before setting one up for Danny care with a neat flick into his own hands.

Getty Images

England vs Australia: Player ratings

Jonathan Joseph – 7 out of 10

Defensively tested and stood up to the challenge of the mammoth Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani. Came from nowhere to blast past the Australian defence and score the second try.

The RFU Collection via Getty Ima

England vs Australia: Player ratings

Owen Farrell – 7 out of 10

Smashed in a tackle by Tevita Kuridrani that saw the ball dislodged and sent 60m down-field. Reliable kicking at goal, and did well to bounce back from a second big hit after the break.

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England vs Australia: Player ratings

Elliot Daly – 7 out of 10

Alert enough to chase what looked to be a lost cause and keep the ball in-field, hacking on to score the first try. Had been relatively quiet until that point, but showed his class when it mattered.

Getty

England vs Australia: Player ratings

George Ford – 7 out of 10

Kicked a lot to put the Wallaby backs under pressure in the wet conditions. Drop-goal effort in the first half missed the target, but smart kick into space gave May the chance to pressure Bernard Foley and give England good territory.

Getty Images

England vs Australia: Player ratings

Ben Youngs – 7 out of 10

Good break and offload to Hughes in the first half that helped England onto the Wallaby line. A second good run after half-time nearly produced a clean line break, but the introduction of Danny Care brought an injection of pace that the game needed.

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England vs Australia: Player ratings

Mako Vunipola – 6 out of 10

Penalised shortly after half-time for early engagement, a regular occurrence during the match, but held his own in the scrum battle and replaced by Joe Marler with 15 minutes left.

AFP/Getty Images

England vs Australia: Player ratings

Dylan Hartley – 7 out of 10

Hit his marks at the lineout and the introduction of Itoje certainly helped the set-piece function. Replaced by Jamie George just short of the hour.

AFP/Getty Images

England vs Australia: Player ratings

Dan Cole – 6 out of 10

Struggled with his scrum timing and gave away too many penalties for it. Exposed in defence when Foley spotted him rushing out, and replaced by Harry Williams with 13 minutes remaining.

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England vs Australia: Player ratings

Joe Launchbury – 8 out of 10

Good support line off Farrell nearly worked a chance in the first half. His carrying was impressive and defended well.

AFP/Getty Images

England vs Australia: Player ratings

Courtney Lawes – 8 out of 10

Started superbly in defence as he tackled everything in gold that moved. Good strong carry in the first half and shook up Beale with a monster hit on the full-back. Stole lineout ball from the Wallabies and was a real force out there.

The RFU Collection via Getty Ima

England vs Australia: Player ratings

Chris Robshaw – 7 out of 10

Stupid decision to hit Kurtley Beale late conceded all of 70 metres, and was penalised for offside immediately after. However, his important tackle on Marika Koroibete was a brilliant try-saver, even if it was chalked off for an offside anyway.

AFP/Getty Images

England vs Australia: Player ratings

Sam Underhill – 5 out of 10

Forced off after suffering a head injury when attempting to tackle Sean McMahon, and replaced by Maro itoje after just 17 minutes.

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England vs Australia: Player ratings

Nathan Hughes – 6 out of 10

Ran hard throughout but wasn’t able to make a sizeable impact on the Wallaby defence. Replaced by Sam Simmonds in the 63rd minute, who made a noticeable impact.

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England vs Australia: Player ratings

<b>Best off the bench:</b> Maro Itoje – 7 out of 10

Brought great linespeed and defence after replacing Underhill 17 minutes in, and was also a nuisance in the lineout.

Getty Images

Here’s everything you need to know about the Test.

When is it?

England vs Samoa takes place on Saturday 25 November at Twickenham Stadium.

What time does it start?

The match is scheduled to kick-off at 15:00 GMT.

Where can I watch it?

England vs Samoa will be shown live on Sky Sports Action from 14:30 and on Sky Sports Main Event from 14:55. Highlights will be shown on BBC Two from 13:00. You can also follow the match live here with The Independent.

Teams...

England: Mike Brown; Jonny May, Henry Slade, Alex Lozowski, Elliot Daly; George Ford, Danny Care; Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Dan Cole; Joe Launchbury, Charlie Ewels; Maro itoje, Chris Robshaw, Sam Simmonds.

Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Joe Marler, Harry Williams, Nick Isiekwe, Courtney Lawes, Ben Youngs, Piers Francis, Semesa Rokoduguni.

Samoa: AhseeTuala, Paul Perez, Kieron Fonotia, Alapati Leiua, David Lemi; Tim Nanai-Williams, Dwayne Polataivao; Jordan Lay, Motu Matu'u, Donald Brighouse; Josh Tyrell, Chris Vui; Piula Fa’asalele, TJ Ioane, Jack Lam.

Replacements: Manu Leiataua, Jay Lay, Hisa Sasagi, Fa’atiga Lemalu, Ofisa Treviranus, Melani Matavao, Rey Lee-Lo, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi.

10 mins: Ford's kick is dropped by opposite number Nanai-Williams, and Daly is there to collect the loose ball. He tries to break free, but offloads to George on his outside. the hooker smartly sees Alex Lozowski inside him, and passes to the centre to go over for the second score. Ford misses the extras, but England lead 12-0.

Jack de Menezes25 November 2017 15:17

13 mins: Samoa nearly reply immediately, and it takes a group tackle on Ioane to hold him up over the try line. From the scrum...TRY FOR SAMOA!

Jack de Menezes25 November 2017 15:18

13 mins: Well if England felt it would all be their own way today, that's a reminder that the Samoans can play rugby. The failure to collect the restart allowed Samoa to get over the try line, and from the scrum, No 8 Lam picked from the base and took first contact. England were caught offside, but it didn't matter as a pop out to blindside flanker Piula Fa'asalele allowed him to burrow over and score beneath the posts. Nanai-Williams kicked the conversion and reduced the lead to 12-7.

Jack de Menezes25 November 2017 15:21

18 mins: Ouch. Lozowski is absolutely nailed by his opposite man Leiua, but he somehow gets the ball away as he's hit. Play continues with George and Itoje carrying up-field, but then Care gets an almighty whack as well. Both are legal, but the offside is not and Ford will go for goal.

Jack de Menezes25 November 2017 15:23

19 mins: Ford kicks the penalty and England lead 15-7. After a bit of treatment, both Lozowski and care are fit to continue.

Jack de Menezes25 November 2017 15:24

21 mins: Samoa really can attack fast. Nanai-Williams releases Fonotia, and he breaks through a gap between May and Slade before trying to offload. May slaps the ball back, but it's the Ospreys centre who regathers with the try line ahead of him - only to knock it forwards. The chance goes, and from the scrum Brighouse loses his feet to concede the penalty.

Jack de Menezes25 November 2017 15:27

About that tackle on Lozowski...

Jack de Menezes25 November 2017 15:28

26 mins: Nanai-Williams tries to kick possession away around midfield, but George gets the charge down and - luckily for the visitors - it falls into the hands of Fonotia. Samoa decide to keep possession this time and move into the English half, but the ball goes forward and play stops as Cole needs some attention. He's good to continue and we'll have a a scrum with England to put in.

Jack de Menezes25 November 2017 15:31

29 mins: The scrum produces another penalty for England and Ford kicks to touch outside the Samoan 22. they're quickly inside it with a catch and drive, and now they have another penalty advantage as Brighouse doesn't roll away. Care taps and goes despite it being five metres out, and England want the try...TRY FOR ENGLAND!

Jack de Menezes25 November 2017 15:35

29 mins: England work their way left, and when they run out of room, they line up two runners off the ruck on the right. Care misses out Itoje to find Charlie Ewels, and the Bath lock crashes over from close range to score. Ford converts the try and England lead 22-7.

However, Joe Launchbury is heading off injured, and is holding his right shoulder, with Courtney Lawes on in the second-row.

Jack de Menezes25 November 2017 15:39

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