Thursday 20 November 2014 16:30, UK
Stuart Lancaster expects a barn-storming Samoa challenge at Twickenham on Saturday as England attempt to arrest a run of five straight international defeats.
Samoa's players had considered boycotting the game due to concerns over the mismanagement of their union but, despite the in-camp upset, Lancaster is still expecting a battle royal in south west London.
"We're expecting physicality, pride and passion from Samoa. This game is their cup final. It's a great opportunity for them and they'll be hugely motivated," said England's head coach.
"I watched them beat Wales in Cardiff a couple of years ago (29-16 in November 2012) in a similar fixture. They are very difficult opposition, so we need to be at our best.
"It will be incredibly competitive right from the start. Just look at the Wales v Fiji game last weekend... Fiji almost won it (losing 17-13).
"We know it's not a game we can take lightly whatsoever because they'll be putting us under pressure."
Lancaster has made five changes in personnel to the team defeated 31-28 by South Africa as he seeks a reaction to an alarming slump just 10 months, and nine games, out from the World Cup.
"Certainly we need to improve the quality of our performance. The players have been told that and we have made changes to create that," he said.
"You get to a point around this time of the week when your work is done and the players have to take the responsibility for delivering."
An area of strength for England in the past has been their back row, but Lancaster felt compelled to react to a decline in form from Tom Wood and Billy Vunipola.
It is the first time Wood has been dropped by Lancaster, but the head coach hopes the presence of Wasps captain James Haskell will offer another source of momentum.
"James will offer another carrying option, giving us more ball carriers than we've had," Lancaster said.
"Billy Vunipola is obviously a strong carrier, but perhaps we didn't have enough around him in the type of game we ended up playing against South Africa."
Watch England v Samoa on Sky Sports 2HD from 18.30 on Saturday
