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Lima recalled for England match

Veteran Brian Lima, the only man to have played in five World Cups, has been restored to the Samoan line-up for the game against England.
  
  

Brian Lima
Brian Lima: the only man to have played in five World Cups. Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP/AP

Samoa have restored World Cup veteran Brian Lima to their starting line-up for Saturday's World Cup clash against England in Nantes.

Lima, the only man to play in five World Cups, was on the receiving end of a crunching collision during Samoa's 59-7 loss to South Africa almost a fortnight ago. He then missed the 19-15 defeat against Tonga, but has now been brought back for a game Samoa must win to keep alive their quarter-final hopes.

Lima, 35, will partner London Irish centre Seilala Mapusua in midfield as part of an all-Premiership back division, with the exception of scrum-half Junior Polu. But goalkicker Gavin Williams, who has scored all Samoa's points in the tournament so far, misses out after failing to recover from a finger injury.

Up front, Premiership players Census Johnston and Daniel Leo start at prop and blindside flanker respectively, in a side skippered by flanker Semo Sititi.

Samoa team's team in full: L Crichton (Worcester); D Lemi (Bristol), S Mapusua (London Irish), B Lima (Bristol), A Tuilagi (Leicester); E Fuimaono-Sapolu (Bath), J Polu (North Harbour); K Lealamanua (Dax), M Schwalger (Wellington Hurricanes), C Johnston (Saracens), J Tekori (Waitakere), K Thompson (Otago Highlanders), D Leo (Wasps), S Sititi (Docomo Kansai, capt), H Tuilagi (Perpignan).

Replacements: T Fuga (Harlequins), F Palaamo (Leeds), J Purdie (Wellington), A Vaeluaga (Bristol), S So'oialo (Harlequins), J Meafou (Scopa), L Lui (Moata'a).

 

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