Another comfortable Red Roses win is expected against a Samoa side for whom the hosts’ Abi Burton was full of praise
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amoa have described Saturday’s Rugby World Cup match against England, the hosts and favourites, as “mission impossible”; it would rank as one of the biggest ever upsets should they somehow manage to beat the Red Roses.
Samoa are 14 places below England in the world rankings and, while the Red Roses have been fully professional for more than five years, Samoa are yet to introduce full-time contracts. In their opening matches of this tournament England beat the USA 69-7, while Samoa lost 73-0 to Australia.
The different situation the teams find themselves in is something the England players are aware of and the back-row Abi Burton, who will make her World Cup debut, hopes this tournament will boost opportunities for every nation. “They are inspirational women,” she said of Samoa. “I think the different types of women who have come to this World Cup is unbelievable but they all come because they love rugby.
