Danny Care scored the winning try seven minutes from time to spare England's blushes and complete a 18-17 victory over superb Samoa in their Rugby World Cup Pool D clash on Saturday.
Two tries from winger Nigel Ah-Wong had Samoa leading deep into the match, but their dreams of a first win over England were ended by poor discipline as they lost centre Tumua Manu to a yellow card and conceded repeated penalties that gave England the territory they needed.
Half-time: England 8-14 Samoa
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) October 7, 2023
Samoa lead at the interval after this superb second try from Ah-Wong
📺 Watch live now on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer https://t.co/CStwnXf2cB#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/xKpUne5aaM
England lost 30-22 to Fiji in a warm-up fixture ahead of the World Cup and may meet them again in the quarter-finals, where they will need an improved performance after a sloppy showing against Samoa where they made numerous handling errors and battled with the high tempo game of the Pacific Islanders.
England had secured top spot in Pool D but advance with a clean sweep of four wins after lock Ollie Chessum scored their opening try on a day when captain Owen Farrell broke Jonny Wilkinson’s points record of 1,178 as he kicked three penalties.
FT: England 18-17 Samoa
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) October 7, 2023
Danny Care's late try earns England the win against a battling Samoa. pic.twitter.com/OTOFkQUcpO
