Can England hit the heights of last weekend's victory over Australia? © Getty Images

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Matches: England 26 - 13 Samoa

Teams: England | Samoa

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England face the difficult challenge of living up to the standards they set against Australia when Samoa visit Twickenham on Saturday.

Last weekend's outstanding victory over the Wallabies was hailed as the most dazzling display by an England side in recent memory and having taken such a bold step in their development the pressure is on to back it up with another commanding performance.

Standing in their way is a Samoan side making an all too rare appearance at Twickenham. Packed with talent and wielding their usual muscle they made Ireland work for a narrow victory in Dublin last Saturday having accounted for Japan and losing out to Connacht in their earlier tour clashes. The challenge of this revitalised England side is a daunting one but a visit to England's HQ is sure to bring out the best in them.

England - Player to Watch: England scrum-half Ben Youngs was the tormentor-in-chief against the Wallabies last time out - can he reproduce another game-defining performance against the Islanders?

England - Team News: England have made four changes to the side that beat Australia with Bath's Matt Banahan coming in at No.13 instead of Mike Tindall and Leeds openside Hendre Fourie granted his first Test start in place of regular captain Lewis Moody who is rested. Elsewhere, Stade Francais flanker James Haskell comes in for Tom Croft on the blindside flank and Bath's David Wilson packs down at tight-head instead of Dan Cole. Nick Easter captains the side for the first time in a capped international.

Samoa - Player to Watch: Winger Alesana Tuilagi was sent off on his last international appearance at Twickenham in 2005 but is unlikely to be daunted by a return to England's HQ or the opposition due to his familiarity with both thanks to his Leicester Tigers connections.

Samoa - Team News: Samoa have opted against making any changes to the XV that were beaten by Ireland. As a result they boast seven English-based players in Paul Williams (Sale Sharks), David Lemi, Sakaria Taulafo (London Wasps), Seilala Mapusua, George Stowers (London Irish), Alesana Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers) and Filipo Levi (Newcastle Falcons), with Exeter Chiefs scrum-half Junior Poluleuligaga on the bench. Hooker Mahonri Schwalger retains captaincy.

Key Battle: The introduction of Banahan at outside centre adds some significant bulk to the England midfield where he will line-up alongside club-mate Shontayne Hape. But in Samoa's George Pisi and Seilala Mapusua they face quality opponents who can blend brains and brawn to devastating effect.

Trivia: Current England skipper Lewis Moody may be grateful for the chance to sit out the game having seen a red card during the Samoans' last visit to Twickenham in 2005. He got his marching orders along with Samoa's Alesana Tuilagi while Tanner Vili and Justin Va'a saw yellow.

Stats: England's Jonny Wilkinson holds the record for the match points in the fixture thanks to his 24-point haul in their clash in Nantes during Rugby World Cup 2007.

Quote Unquote:

"It is about keeping the foot down. The key is having the right mindset. That is what good teams do - go out and play. That is what we are trying to do, become consistent. We need to try to be better this week. Samoa are a real, real danger this weekend." - England manager Martin Johnson

"This is assembly time for us - time to look at the core make-up of our squad, players who will then be tested during the Pacific Nations Cup, the Super 15 competition and the warm-up matches ahead of the big tournament. The World Cup is special to us. We have to win our first two matches, against Namibia and Wales. We have work to do, but that is our aim." - Samoa manager Matt Vaea

Prediction: In delivering such an emphatic victory against Australia, England ensured that expectation levels rocketed on a similar trajectory to their form. But even if they were to fall short of the benchmark set against the Wallabies they should have too much class for a Samoa side starved of top class opposition.