United States coach Peter Thorburn has made three changes to his starting XV for Wednesday's World Cup Pool A match against Samoa in St Etienne.

Centre Albert Tuipulotu, lock Mike Mangan and number eight Henry Bloomfield have been dropped from the team that lost 25-15 to Tonga on September 12.

Thorburn has replaced them with Philip Eloff, Hayden Mexted and Fifita Mounga respectively.

The half-back combination of captain Mike Hercus and Chad Erskine remains intact as the US look to claim their first win of the tournament.

Before the defeat to Tonga, they lost 28-10 to England but they will have had a refreshing two-week gap between their second and third matches.

Sale Sharks' Elvis Seveali'i will take over the Samoa number 12 shirt after veteran Brian Lima was handed a three-week suspension after being cited for the tackle during Saturday's Pool A clash in Nantes. .

Samoa, already eliminated from the competition, have lost flanker Dan Leo (broken wrist) and number eight Henry Tuilagi (shoulder) after a bruising clash against England.

Justin Purdie replaces Leo, with skipper Semo Sititi moving to blindside flanker and Alfie Vaeluaga starting at number eight.

Samoa: Loki Crichton, Lome Fa'atau, Seilala Mapusua, Elvis Seveali'i, Alesana Tuilagi, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Junior Polu; Kas Lealamanua, Mahonri Schwalger, Census Johnston, Leo Lafaiali'i, Kane Thompson, Semo Sititi (c), Justin Purdie, Alfie Vaeluaga.

Replacements: Silao Vaisola Sefo, Naama Leleimalefaga, Joe Tekori, Ulia Ulia, Steve So'oialo, David Lemi, Lolo Lui.

USA: Chris Wyles, Salesi Sika, Philip Eloff, Vahafolau Esikia, Takudzwa Ngwenya, Mike Hercus (c), Chad Erskine; Mike MacDonald, Owen Lentz, Chris Osentowski, Alec Parker, Hayden Mexted, Louis Stanfill, Todd Clever, Fifita Mounga.

Replacements: Blake Burdette, Matekitonga Moeakiola, Mark Aylor, Henry Bloomfield, Mike Petri, Valenese Malifa, Albert Tuipulotu.