England
Vunipola: Samoa will smell blood
ESPN Staff
November 17, 2014
England No.8 Billy Vunipola knows Samoa will fancy their chances at Twickenham © Getty Images
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England forward Billy Vunipola has admitted Saturday's opponents Samoa will 'smell blood' as they head to Twickenham after the hosts' defeats to New Zealand and South Africa in their opening autumn internationals. The loss to the Springboks was England's fifth successive defeat - the first time they've been on such a run since 2006.

"They are going to smell blood. They'll definitely be licking their lips," said the No.8, whose father played for Tonga. "They'll come here knowing they have a sniff of winning the game, but we can't underestimate them. You can't go into an international, no matter who you're facing, believing that you have the right to win. We can't afford to do that. You can't look at Samoa thinking 'we can step off the accelerator' because that's when things will go wrong."

Head coach Stuart Lancaster is expected to make multiple changes to the side to face Samoa and Vunipola, who was heavily critical of his own performance in the defeat to South Africa, is one who could make way.

"I made too many mistakes and I apologise for that. A lot of the boys, if there is such a thing, were trying a bit too hard," he said. "After last weekend everyone wanted to prove a point, not only to themselves but to the people watching. We have to start relaxing more. Now we definitely need to win against Samoa and Australia for our peace of mind as a team."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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