England "focused on Samoa" from position of luxury

LILLE, France : England's camp are sticking to their "one game at a time" mantra ahead of Saturday's final Pool D game against Samoa but with top spot already assured they have the luxury of using the match as pressure-free preparation for the quarter-finals.

After a two-week break since hammering Chile 71-0 with a largely reserve team, head coach Steve Borthwick faces a tricky juggling act for Saturday's game.

He is likely to put out as close to his strongest team as possible, getting them back in the groove ahead of what looks like a probable quarter-final against Fiji in Marseille on Sunday Oct. 15.

However, mindful of the physicality of the Samoans, who could secure third place and automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup with an unlikely win, Borthwick will also be keen to give some sort of protection for his key men and some early substitutions can be expected.

"All our focus is just the Samoa game, we don't want to look too far ahead because, the moment you take your eye off the ball, that is when you are in a bit of trouble," prop Kyle Sinckler said on Wednesday.

"One thing with my experience of World Cups and big tests is the importance of being focused on the 'now'."

Sinckler has close-up experience of what England will face on Saturday in the shape of his Bristol team mates Steven Luatua and Chris Vui. "They are two massively physical players, great line-out options, great hands, good offloading skills," he said.

"Don't be fooled by their (off-field) demeanour though, they can definitely flick the switch and when it is time to go, those guys can really go."

One man almost certain to start on Saturday is flanker Tom Curry, whose World Cup to date consists of two minutes of action in the opening game before a