England defeat Samoa in Lille
Owen Farrell became England's top points scorer of all time, kicking two penalties and a conversion to overtake Jonny Wilkinson's tally of 1,179.
Nigel Ah-Wong's first-half brace gave Samoa an 8-14 lead at the break in Lille, but tries from Ollie Chessum and Danny Care secured the 18-17 victory to ensure England remain unbeaten in Pool D after four games.
A frenetic opening ten minutes saw both sides looking for defensive holes, and Chessum found one as he opened the scoring after Manu Tuilagi drew the Samoan defence to gift the lock a simple run down the left flank for his second try in an England shirt.
Farrell opted for the tee in the 17th minute following a Samoan penalty deep in the 22. The captain slotted the kick to write his name in the history books and confirm his place as England's leading Test points scorer.
There was no time for celebration, however, as Samoa responded immediately with two tries through Ah-Wong. The wing profited from a string of offloads to stretch over the line before receipt of a Lima Sopoaga cross field kick afforded him a second opportunity to put his side ahead.
The Pacific Islanders continued to frustrate Steve Borthwick's men in the closing encounters of the first forty. Duncan Paia'aua scooped up a loose ball and dived for the line, but referee Andrew Brace called it back for a knock on from Tumua Manu. Another Ah-Wong effort was then ruled out for a foot in touch, but the one-way traffic had England struggling to regain a foothold in the contest as they went into the break trailing by six points.
Samoa came out firing in the second half, pressing the England defence and setting up camp deep inside the 22, where Sopoaga extended the lead with a penalty kick.
Another Chessum try was on the cards after a flurry of tight carries from the England pack. The lock stretched for the line, but the score was chalked off after the TMO deemed the action a second movement after the tackle had been made. Instead, Farrell kicked his second penalty of the evening to shorten the deficit to 11-17.
Tumua Manu was shown a yellow card for tackling Farrell off the ball and England took advantage of the extra man. Danny Care sniped from the base of the scrum and sprinted to the line unmarked, dotting the ball down at the base of the left upright. Farrell converted to give his side a one-point lead, which they retained until the final whistle despite threats from Samoa's energetic attack.
Borthwick's men now head to Marseille, where they will face the runner up of Pool C in the quarter-final on Sunday 15 October.
TEAMS
England
15. Freddie Steward, 14. Joe Marchant, 13. Manu Tuilagi, 12. Owen Farrell (C), 11. Jonny May, 10. George Ford, 9. Alex Mitchell, 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Jamie George, 3. Dan Cole, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Ollie Chessum, 6. Courtney Lawes, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Ben Earl
Replacements
16. Theo Dan, 17. Joe Marler, 18. Kyle Sinckler, 19. George Martin, 20. Billy Vunipola, 21. Danny Care, 22. Marcus Smith, 23. Ollie Lawrence
Samoa
15. Duncan Paia'aua, 14. Nigel Ah-Wong, 13. Tumua Manu, 12. Danny Toala, 11. Neria Fomai, 10. Lima Sopoaga, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 1. Jordan Lay, 2. Sama Malolo, 3. Michael Alaalatoa (C), 4. Samuel Slade, 5. Brian Alainu'u'ese, 6. Theo McFarland, 7. Fritz Lee, 8. Steven Luatua
Replacements
16. Seilala Lam, 17. James Lay, 18. Paul Alo-Emile, 19. So'otala Fa'aso'o, 20. Alamanda Motuga, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Christian Lealiifano, 23. Miracle Fai'ilagi
FIXTURES AND RESULTS
Summer Series
Rugby World Cup 2023
England 18-17 Samoa
