Head to head: England weather Samoa storm
September 22, 2007

* The countries have met on four occasions - England lead the series 4-0.

* England's record win was a 40-3 success at Twickenham in November, 2005.

* England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson needs 18 points to join Scotland's Gavin Hastings as only the second player to amass 200 World Cup points.

* England field three survivors from the side that beat Samoa 35-22 during the 2003 World Cup - Wilkinson, lock Ben Kay and flanker Joe Worsley.

* England, thumped by South Africa last time out, have not suffered successive World Cup defeats since 1995 when they lost to New Zealand and France.

* England flanker Lewis Moody and Samoa wing Alesana Tuilagi were both sent off in the countries' last encounter 22 months ago.

* England need 15 points on Saturday to follow New Zealand, Australia and France in reaching 1,000 World Cup points.

* An England defeat on Saturday would leave them struggling to reach the quarter-finals, something every previous rugby world champion has alway achieved.

* Samoa have lost four successive World Cup games - their worst run in tournament history.

* Samoa boss Michael Jones is one of only two coaches in the tournament who won the World Cup as a player, having helped New Zealand beat France 20 years ago.

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