RFTG Lucy made it down to twickers this weekend to watch the boys and gave us the report below. I hear she also bumped into RFTG Debbie who was Stewarding and also my hubby who had gone to the match with my hairdresser Marcus because I was with Ben Cohen at his calendar signing in Prowler, Soho. Yes, it is a mad world! Thanks Lucy. Jill. x

England followed up their impressive victory over Australia with a solid 26-13 win over a stubborn Samoan side.

England had made 4 changes to the side which had beaten Australia and this led to the momentum built after this victory being checked.

Samoa made all the attacking early on with some quick off-loading down the right wing. The quick passing led to a penalty to Samoa, which was slotted by the full-back Paul Williams. A few minutes later, he had a chance to double the lead from an almost identical position. However, he could not replicate the successful attempt and England nearly replied with an immediate try as the England backline showed their cutting edge.

Chris Ashton cut through the midfield following an inside pass from Toby Flood, before throwing a long pass to Mark Cueto. Ben Foden surged on towards the try line but was forced into touch as he stretched for the line. Flood then slotted a straightforward penalty that finally saw England register on the scoreboard.

England struggled to apply consistent pressure as the Samoan numbers and the physicality at the breakdown deprived them of a stable attacking platform. When the ball was passed wide, the Samoan defence regularly concernef the English backs.

When Ashton did cross the line, he was pulled back by the referee’s whistle as the off-load from Shontayne Hape strayed forward. Hape then partially rectified this by making a powerful run and forced another infringement and Flood duly edged England ahead. With the running ambitions blunted, England pressed for a score through the forwards.

There was a lengthy spell of pressure on the Samoan line which was finally broken by a Seilala Mapusua hit on Mark Cueto turned over possession.

Samoa had no real problems with converting pressure into points in the first minute of the second half as England’s defence never managed to re-organise themselves after the ball was pinched from Hape. After a quick re-cycle, Williams glided over in the corner.

Mapusua tried an audacious but off target drop-goal which briefly threatened to extend the lead and spoil the mood.

The tension at Twickenham was eased as Matt Banahan, playing as a centre, dived in under the posts after Hape fixed the short side defence and Ashton drew the final defender.

The Samoan defence was regularly stretched ant it took a superb last ditch tackle from George Pisi to force Mark Cueto into touch. The Islanders were finally broken as Banahan grabbed onto a wayward pass and set up Danny Care to scamper up field to set up fellow substitute Tom Croft. Croft then seemed to have denied Samoa a second try as he dislodged the ball from George Stowers’ grasp inches above the line. However, in the last minute, Otto held onto a loose ball out wide to convert an overlap into a well deserved score.

Here's to South Africa next week boys!