With all the big nations already booked up, Samoa are instead pitted against the French Barbarians at the storied Stade Marcel Michelin, home of perennial French league challengers Clermont Auvergne.
FRENCH BARBARIANS vs SAMOA
Saturday, November 16, 19:00 GMT, Clermont
The Manu would have been embarrassed more so by their sluggish performance than the score line in Dublin in the wake of the news of Pita Fatialofa’s passing. They will be very keen to restore some respect against the invitational Barbarians side, but the French league stars have rolled out an impressive lineup that is more than capable of putting a few points on the board.
Home favourite Aurelien Rougerie will captain the side with dual New Zealand representatives on the wing in former 7s cap David Smith and All Black star Sitiveni Sivivatu. Aging but in-form fullback Silvere Tian, himself an Ivory Coast international, completes a very dangerous looking outside back trio. Unwanted test flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc will want to prove that he is still an option for the senior squad, with Alexis Palisson hopeful of doing the same as a sub.
Of the forwards only Castres hooker Brice Mach and exceptional Clermont flanker Gerhard Vosloo have yet to taste international rugby. Multi-year veterans Jean-Baptiste Poux and Julien Bonnaire are the most prominent names, while the second row features recent France squad member Christophe Samson and the massively powerful Cameroonian Robins Tchale-Watchou.
Samoa have a coupe big lumps as well locking the scrum with France-based duo Piula Fa’asalele and Joe Tekori combining for more than 250kg of engine room ballast. Faifili Levave and Alafoti Fa’osiliva over high entertainment value in the back row, and the entire front row subs out with Viliamu Afatia, Ti’i Paulo, and James Johnston all getting a run.
Tusi Pisi is rested after his head-on collision with Brando Va’aulu in Dublin, meaning Kahn Fotuali’i stays at flyhalf with Patrick Fa’apale still only summoned as a reserve. Jeremy Su’a starts at halfback with Isaia Tu’ifua replacing suspended George Pisi at centre. Emergency prop call-ups Anthony Perenise and Benjamin Sa warm the bench, where they are joined by outside backs Sinoti Sinoti of Wellington and the youngest Pisi, Saint Ken of Northampton.
This should be a very loose and exciting game with some seriously heavy hitters on the Samoan side of the ball, and some quality backline talent on the other. The Barbarians have only come together this week, but this is a patchwork Manu Samoa side as well so that negates any advantage either way. The difference looks to be in the halfbacks, where Trinh-Duc and Heini Adams will look to keep the tempo high. Take the Barbarians to win a high-scoring affair by around 10 points.
Referee: J.P. Doyle (RFU)
Assistants: t.b.a. (FFR appointments)
TMO: t.b.a. (FFR appointment)
