The London Irish flanker Ofisa Treviranus leads an 12-strong England-based contingent named in Samoa’s 31-man squad for the Rugby World Cup.
Treviranus, 31, returns to the squad after a neck injury suffered in Samoa’s historic home Test against New Zealand last month and is one of 18 forwards named by the head coach, Stephen Betham.
The Leicester Tigers prop Logovi’i Mulipola and Bristol’s Anthony Perenise are among the front rows while Newcastle’s Kane Thompson is selected as one of four locks. Bristol’s Jack Lam, Bath’s Alafoti Fa’osiliva and Sale’s TJ Ioane join Treviranus in the back row.
The Northampton scrum-half Kahn Fotuali’i is one of three Saints players named along with Ken and George Pisi while Sale’s powerful centre Johnny Leota is also selected in an a formidable looking midfield.
Newcastle’s Alesana Tuilagi, a veteran of two World Cups, has been named vice-captain and is joined in the wing ranks by the Hurricanes flyer Tim Nanai-Williams while the only notable omissions are Census Johnston and Dan Leo, both of whom retired from international rugby earlier this year.
Samoa are joined in Pool B at the World Cup by South Africa, Scotland, Japan and the USA.
