Samoa will play their first major international of the year at the Millennium Stadium on Friday evening believing that Wales will offer them a greater yardstick than England as they start their countdown to the 2011 World Cup.
Seilala Mapusua, the London Irish centre, who has developed into one of the leading midfielders in the Premiership under Brian Smith, Mike Catt and Toby Booth, said Wales's display against New Zealand last weekend showed they deserve to be ranked among the best.
Smith left London Irish to take charge of England's attack last year, but Mapusua, last season's Premiership players' player of the year, said he struggled to see his former's coach's influence as England slumped to defeat against Australia at Twickenham last Saturday.
"Brian is a great thinker about the game and he knows rugby," Mapusua said. "He helped make me the player I am today and turned London Irish into the most adventurous side in the Premiership. I thought I would see more of his imprint in the way England play. It is there in terms of selection of the backs, but they are not executing things as I know he would want.
"It is as if there is a clash of styles among the coaches. I don't know, but England are not gelling as a team. Wales are a better, more balanced side and play a more attractive and cohesive brand of rugby. Without Jonny Wilkinson, I think they would have lost to Australia by a lot more."
Samoa's team to face Wales contains 10 players who earn their livings in Europe, although the Clermont Auvergne centre, Gavin Williams, has flown home to France because his wife was due to give birth.
"We are trying to change our approach," Mapusua said. "People have a view of Samoa as being a side that likes to throw the ball around but lacks discipline and blows up long before the end of matches. Most of our side are full-time professionals and we have taken on board the value of preparation, such as conditioning and nutrition.
"We will never lose our core values and we will always prefer running to kicking, but we know we have to be smart rather than known as entertainers. It is frustrating for us because we very rarely play against one of the top sides. We would like a better fixture list and Friday gives us the chance to show that we deserve one."
Preparation is always difficult for Samoa, who had one player flying over from New Zealand today. "If Martin Johnson [the England team manager] thinks he has problems, he should spend a few days with us," Mapusua said. "We are used to it and just get on with things. It would be awesome to enjoy the luxury of time that Johnson has with his squad.
"The Pacific islands have a lot to offer rugby because of the way we play the game and that is why top clubs sign so many of our players. If we could get more countries to visit Samoa, it would give us a huge boost but until then we will have to make do the best we can."
Mapusua is one of five survivors from the side that defeated the United States in Samoa's final match of the 2007 World Cup campaign. "We did not do ourselves justice in the tournament," he said. "We aim to do far better next time."
Samoa: Lui (Apia); Lemi (Wasps), Williams (Clermont Auvergne), Mapusua (London Irish), Tuilagi (Apia); Fili (Wellington), Polu (Bay of Plenty); Va'a (Glasgow), Schwalger (Sale), Johnston (Toulouse); Levi (Newcastle), Tekori (Castres); Stowers (London Irish, capt), Treviranis (Apia West), Tuilagi (Perpignan). Replacements: Williams (Apia West), Taulafo (Tasman), Thompson (Dax), Faamatuianu (Bath), Mai (Apia West), Fa'afili (Leeds), Esau (Apia West).
