Samoa and Japan meet on Saturday in Milton Keynes, in a crucial Pool B encounter, with the loser's hopes of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals all but ended. 

The pressure has piled on Stephen Betham and his Samoan side, after they crumbled at Villa Park, suffering a heavy 46-6 defeat at the hands of South Africa in their last match. 

For Japan, this is their first game in ten days and they head into the match knowing a win could set them up for a shock quarter-final spot despite falling to Scotland in their previous match. 

Betham opts for experience in crucial encounter

The average age of Samoa's starting XV is over 30, with World Cup veterans such as Alesana Tuilagi and Census Johnston included in the side. 

Kane Thompson comes into the starting side after completing his ban for striking in a World Cup warm-up game, whilst Tusi Pisi returns at fly-half in place of Michael Stanley who struggled against the Springboks. 

The other three changes to the side see Jonny Leota, Fafili Levave and Ole Avei named in the starting lineup. 

Ofisa Treviranus again skippers the side, with Samoa's standout player so far at the tournament, Tim Nanai-Williams keeping hold on his full-back spot. 

Jones tinkers after ten day break

Japanese head coach Eddie Jones has made five changes to his Brave Blossoms side from their defeat against Scotland, with Kosei Ono starting at fly-half. 

Harumichi Tatekawa moves to inside centre to make room for Ono, with Male Sau keeping hold of his 13 jersey. 

Hitoshi Ono replaces Justin Ives in the second row, whilst Michael Leitch again captains the side. 

Number eight Ryu Holani starts in place of the benched Amanaki Mafi, who was incredible against Scotland before having to leave the field through injury. 

How the sides line up

Samoa: 1. Sakaria Taulafo, 2. Ole Avei, 3. Census Johnston
4. Teofilo Paulo, 5. Kane Thompson
6. Ofisa Treviranus (captain), 7. TJ Ioane, 8. Faifili Levave 
9. Kahn Fotuali'i, 10. Tusi Pisi
11. Alesana Tuilagi, 12. Johnny Leota, 13. Paul Perez, 14. Ken Pisi, 15. Tim Nanai-Williams

Replacements: 16. Motu Matu'u, 17. Viliamu Afatia, 18. Anthony Perenise, 19. Jack Lam, 20. Vavae Tuilagi , 21. Vavao Afemai, 22. Mike Stanley, 23. Rey Lee-Lo 

 

Japan: 1. Keita Inagaki, 2. Shota Horie, 3. Kensuke Hatakeyama
4. Luke Thompson, 5. Hitoshi Ono
6. Michael Leitch (captain), 7. Michael Broadhurst, 8. Ryu Koliniasi Holani
9. Fumiaki Tanaka, 10. Kosei Ono
11. Kotaro Matsushima, 12. Harumichi Tatekawa, 13. Male Sau, 14. Akihito Yamada, 15. Ayumu Goromaru

Replacements: 16. Takeshi Kizu, 17. Masataka Mikami, 18. Hiroshi Yamashita, 19. Justin Ives, 20. Amanaki Lelei Mafi, 21. Hendrik Tui, 22. Atsushi Hiwasa, 23. Karne Hesketh