Struggling Samoa target Twickenham as launchpad for brighter future

Samoa coach Titimaea Tafua wants his team to put on a show against England at Twickenham to help rescue the nation from the rugby doldrums.

The Pacific Islanders have lost all six of their matches this year and their dismal form on the pitch is matched by the perilous financial status of their union, which has declared itself bankrupt.

While World Rugby disputes the claim of insolvency, Samoa are economically stricken and their players receive a match fee of only £600 compared to the £23,000 paid to England stars.

Tafua believes that by showcasing Islander rugby at its best in the climax to their autumn at Twickenham on Saturday, confidence will grow on and off the field.

"With the financial situation at home, our government keeps giving us money to help us. Every year they give a large sum from their budget to help us," Tafua said.

"Our results are not that good so we are trying our best to get back there. We will struggle to get sponsors if the team is not good and performances are not good.

"If we perform well and get results then the sponsors will come. All we want is to do our job on the field and do it right so it will turn around the support, not only from the country and government."

Samoa have yet to qualify for the 2019 World Cup and so captain Chris Vui understands the value of victory over England.

"This game is huge. We have only got this game before going into qualifying games next year," Vui said.

"We also need to increase that belief in our team. We have got these young players who are really keen and want to pull on that blue jersey and buy into what we are doing.

"We don't need superstars, we just need guys who can buy into what we are doing.

"Obviously results are not coming our way at the moment but we are slowly stepping in the right direction towards those qualifying questions."