Samoa v Scotland: Key talking points ahead of Pool B clash
Last Updated: 10/10/15 8:12pm
We look at the main talking points ahead of Scotland and Samoa's Rugby World Cup Pool B clash at St James' Park.
Quarter-final pressure
It really is make or break for Scotland.
Victory over Samoa on Saturday will secure Scotland a place in the knockout rounds for the first time since 2007, a defeat and their World Cup hopes crash and burn.
Vern Cotter's men kicked off their campaign with victories over Japan and the United States but were bulldozed by a rampant South Africa side last weekend, taking Scotland's fate down to the wire.
Surprise package of the tournament Japan will take on Pool B's bottom-placed side USA on Sunday and a win for Eddie Jones' men could snatch second if Scotland fail to see off Samoa.
However, Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw insists his team are ready to cement their place in the quarter-finals at the second time of asking when they face a Samoan side with only pride to play for.
"We are extremely motivated," said Laidlaw. "We players are desperate to win this match as we want to be in the World Cup quarter-finals. We've worked very hard to come from where we were to get to where we are at the moment.
"Now we need one more push this weekend."
#FreeAlesana
The rugby world has been up in arms this week over the five-week ban of Samoan winger Alesana Tuilagi.
The Newcastle Falcons winger was banned after striking Japan's Harumichi Tatekawa with his knee in the second minute of last Saturday's World Cup Pool B game in Milton Keynes.
However, the decision has caused outrage on twitter, as former players and the general public alike jump to the defence of the winger whose trademark steamrolling runs have made him a firm fans' favourite.
Tuilagi's former Leicester team-mate Lewis Moody, a man not afraid of the physical side of the sport, was disgusted by the decision.
He tweeted: "I'm appalled Alesana has been banned for five weeks. How is running into an opponent an act of foul play? Should we play walking rugby now!"
Tuilagi has also received support from those he has faced as Worcester fly-half Ryan Lamb tweeted: 'Tuilagi's ban is ridiculous, just put a belt on and call it the tag rugby World Cup.'
Tuilagi will play no further part in this World Cup but be sure the debate will rumble on.
Under performing or under supported?
Former Samoa captain Mahonri Schwalger has come out and placed the blame on the Samoa Rugby Union for the team's below-par displays at the World Cup.
Schwalger, who led Samoa in the 2011 tournament, believes that behind-the-scenes politics and poor off-the-field decisions have led the Pacific Islanders to crash out of the tournament earlier than expected.
Look back to November and the future of Samoan rugby was hanging in the balance. Senior figures in the team had voiced major concerns surrounding the administration of the Samoan Rugby Union and threatened to boycott their game against England, and not for the first time.
The strike was avoided and Samoa's World Cup participation secured with the promise of a revolutionised set-up but do problems still remain for the side?
Questions will still be asked about their lacklustre campaign but a win against Scotland will give the Samoans something to celebrate.
Samoa: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Paul Perez, 13 George Pisi, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Fa'atoina Autagavaia, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i (c); 1 Sakaria Taulafo, 2 Ma'atulimanu Leiataua, 3 Census Johnston, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 5 Kane Thompson, 6 Maurie Faasavalu, 7 Jack Lam, 8 Alafoti Faosiliva.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Viliamu Afatia, 18 Anthony Perenise, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Vavae Tuilagi, 21 Vavao Afemai, 22 Patrick Faapale, 23 Ken Pisi.
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Tommy Seymour, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (c); 1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Ross Ford, 3 Willem Nel, 4 Richie Gray, 5 Jonny Gray, 6 Ryan Wilson, 7 John Hardie, 8 David Denton.
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Jon Welsh, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Josh Strauss, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Peter Horne, 23 Sean Lamont.