Samoa name extended squad for November

Samoa head coach Alama Ieremia has named an impressive list of 45 players in an extended squad to prepare for the November test series. The daunting tour features matches against France, Georgia, and Canada, with a final group of 32 players to be named before departure. Bristol flanker Jack Lam is set to continue as captain, one of 18 returning players from the 2015 World Cup.

A pair of Toulouse forwards could feature in their city of residence as veteran prop Census Johnston and second row Piula Fa’asalele are both named. Leicester prop Logovi’i Mulipola is recalled after missing the World Cup with injury and is one of 13 Aviva Premiership players on the list, including a trio of Northampton Saints backs in George Pisi, Ken Pisi, and in-form fullback Ahsee Tuala.

Only six players in the group have yet to win full international honors. New Zealand-based props Hisa Sasagi and Matt Talaese are joined by heavyweight Castres tighthead Eric Sione, with promising Canterbury forward Elia Elia selected as a hooker after winning the World Rugby u20 Trophy tournament as a hard-running loose forward with the Samoan age-grade side. Former Waratahs scrumhalf Auvasa Faleali’i is again in contention having moved to France with Nevers, and big Perpignan no8 Genesis Mamea is selected for the first time.

Gloucester hooker Motu Matu’u, rampaging no8 Vavae Tuilagi, and Wasps three-quarter Alapati Leiua are among those currently injured and unavailable.

FORWARDS
Viliamu Afatia (Racing 92, FR), Jake Grey (SCOPA), Census Johnston (Toulouse, FR), James Johnston (Worcester Warriors, UK), Nu’uuli Lene (Oriental Rongotai, NZ), Logovi’i Mulipola (Leicester Tigers, UK), Anthony Perenise (Bristol, UK), Hisa Sasagi (Otago Razorbacks, NZ), Eric Sione (Castres, FR), Matt Talaese (Northland Taniwha, NZ), Sakaria Taulafo (Stade Français, FR), Ole Avei (Bordeaux, FR), Elia Elia (Canterbury, NZ), Seilala Lam (Nevers, FR), Manu Leiataua (Bayonne, FR), Talaga Alofipo (Vaimoso), Piula Fa’asalele (Toulouse, FR), Fa’atiga Lemalu (Sanix Blues / Sunwolves, JP), Jeff Lepa (Tasman Makos, NZ), Filo Paulo (Benetton Treviso, IT), Oneone Fa’afou (Vaiala), Alafoti Fa’osiliva (Worcester Warriors, UK), Greg Foe (Wellington Lions, NZ), TJ Ioane (Sale Sharks, UK), Jack Lam (Bristol, UK), Genesis Mamea (Perpignan, FR), Fa’alemiga Selesele (Hawke’s Bay Magpies, NZ)

BACKS
Pele Cowley (Waikato, NZ), Auvasa Faleali’i (Nevers, FR), Kahn Fotuali’i (Bath, UK), Dwayne Polataivao (Auckland, NZ), Danny Tusitala (Ponsonby, NZ), Patrick Fa’apale (Vaiala), D’Angelo Leuila (Southland Stags, NZ), Tusi Pisi (Bristol, UK), Reynold Lee-Lo (Cardiff Blues, UK), George Pisi (Northampton Saints, UK), Winston Stanley (Harlequins, UK), Paul Williams (Stade Français, FR), Malu Falaniko (Vaiala), David Lemi (Bristol, UK), Paul Perez (Toulouse, FR), Ken Pisi (Northampton Saints, UK), Albert Nikoro (West Sydney Rams / Western Force, AU), Ahsee Tuala (Northampton Saints, UK)

FIXTURES
Nov 12 – vs France – Stadium Municipal, Toulouse
Nov 19 – vs Georgia – Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi
Nov 25 – vs Canada – Stade des Alpes, Grenoble