France take on Samoa this Saturday. France must be boyed by their performance against the Springboks whereas Samoa must feel equally happy with their strong showing against Wales last weekend.

Samoa showed a lot of guts and determination against Wales but also showed some indicipline in that game. They scored an intercept try which makes their score a bit flattering against Wales.

France on the other hand monstered the Springboks in the forwards battle, specially in the scrums and seems to have the heart and passion early in their season, however the old French bogey of complacency and “Which French Team will pitch” still haunts them.

I cannot see the French struggling too much to beat the Samoans however and predict a solid win for them… France by 19 PLUS.

Players to watch:

For France: Dynamic Stade Francais hooker Dimitri Szarzewski is a compact and mobile front-row forward and he is sure to get through a lot of work against the big pack of the Pacific Islanders. Toulouse fullback Maxime Medard has recently seen his place in the national side taken by the more physical Damien Traille. The skilful back will be looking to give the selectors something to think about.

For Samoa: London Wasps flyer David Lemi is capable of the extraordinary and the joint second try-scorer in last year’s Guinness Premiership may need to produce something special his side are to have a chance. Henry Tuilagi is considered by many to be one of most powerful and destructive running eighthmen in the game, showing remarkable speed and agility for a man of over 120kgs. He will be wearing the No.7 shirt, but only because his massive frame can’t fit into the No.8, so expect some bullocking runs off the back of the scrum.

Head-to-head: Up against Lions powerhouse Jamie Roberts last week, Seilala Mapusua more than held his own. This week he gets a chance to go up against another of the world’s best No.12’s in Yannick Jauzion. It should be a fascinating battle. In the second-row, the clash between Sebastian Chabal and Filipo Levi will have an impact both on the line-out battle and in the loose. The ‘Caveman’ made a big impression in his cameo against the Boks, and it will up to the Newcastle Falcons lock to negate his presence. 

Previous result:

1999: France won 39-22 in Apia

Teams:

France: 15 Maxime Medard, 14 Benjamin Fall, 13 David Marty, 12 Yannick Jauzion, 11 Vincent Clerc, 10 Francois Trinh-Duc, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Julien Bonnaire, 7 Thierry Dusautoir, 6 Alexandre Lapandry, 5 Pascal Pape, 4 Sebastien Chabal, 3 Sylvain Marconnet (captain), 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Thomas Domingo.
Replacements: 16 Guilhem Guirado, 17 Nicolas Mas, 18 Romain Millo-Chluski, 19 Julien Puricelli , 20 Julien Dupuy, 21 Damien Traille, 22 Yann David, 23 Fabien Barcella.

Samoa: 15 Lolo Lui, 14 Loakimo Mulipola, 13 Henry Fa’afili, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 David Lemi, 10 Fa’atonu Fili, 9 Junior Poluleuligaga, 8 Ofisa Treviranus, 7 Henry Tuilagi, 6 Jonathan Fa’amatuainu, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Filipo Levi, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 , Sakaria Taulafo
Replacements: 16 Andrew Williams, 17 Junior Fatialofa, 18 Iosefa Tekori, Timoteo Iosua, 20 Uale Mai, 21 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 22 Titi Esau

Date: Saturday , November 21
Venue: Stade de France
Kick-off: 17:00 (16:00 GMT)
Referee: Dave Pearson (England)
Assistant referees: Rob Debney (England), Stuart Terheege (England)
Television match officials: Geoff Warren (England)
Assessor: David Herbert (Wales)