"Curry on the bench" - Billy Vunipola and Owen Farrell set to start against Samoa

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The men in white receive a well earned rest this weekend, and will be back to take on Manu Samoa on Saturday October 7th in Lille.

England ran out a resounding 71-0 win over Chile last Saturday, in what stands as their third highest margin of victory in Rugby World Cup history. Just the 101-10 landslide over Tonga in '99, and the 111-13 demolition of Uruguay in 2003 racked up bigger winning deficits. Henry Arundell was England's star performer, as the Racing 92 winger crossed over for five tries against Los Condores.

Arundell equalised the all-time England record for tries in a Rugby World Cup match, with the accolade now shared between himself and Josh Lewsey. Despite Arundell's handful of scores, the pick of the bunch came from Marcus Smith's phenomenal solo kick chase. Owen Farrell ended the eleven-try onslaught one point adrift of Jonny Wilkinson's all-time England points scoring tally of 1,179, and looks certain to surpass the legendary halfback later in the tournament.

We will have to bide our time until Borthwick announces the England squad to face Samoa, so we have taken it upon us to predict the match-day 23. Here is RUCK's picks for the England team that should line up against the Pacific Islanders, to complete the clean sweep of wins in Pool D.

15. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)

14. Henry Arundell (Racing 92)

11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)

Marcus Smith and Henry Arundell each had scintillating performances against Chile, and should retain their starting jerseys for the clash against Samoa. Starting with Smith, the newly-adopted fullback has forced his way into the England starting XV, leaving George Ford and Owen Farrell to do battle over the fly-half jersey. In a style akin to the All Blacks' Beauden Barrett, Smith has transitioned effortlessly from fly-half to fullback, and scored two tries against Chile.

After hitting top gear for a record try-scoring performance whilst on his Rugby World Cup debut, Borthwick can hardly overlook the talents of Henry Arundell in a fortnight's time. The former London Irish flyer ran out a clinic in opportunity taking, for his handful of tries against Chile. We have opted to recall Gloucester winger Jonny May to the starting XV over Max Malins. The Bristol Bears man did not have the starring role he would have liked against Chile, with proven try-machine May preferred against the tougher Samoan opposition.

13. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby)

12. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks)

It's time to bring back the heavy artillery in the centres. Samoa have always been bruising ball carriers, but they have since further reinforced their ranks with the likes of former Australia and New Zealand internationals. The likes of Rugby World Cup winning All Blacks prop Charlie Faumuina and former Wallabies stalwart Christian Leali'ifano are included, along with former Wasps playmaker Lima Sopoaga also joining the fray.

Lawrence ran out for a strong performance against Chile, and will look to build on this momentum with another strong outing against Samoa. Lawrence has so far been behind Tuilagi and Marchant in the midfield pecking order, and would benefit from an extended run in the side before the knock-out stages. Lawrence ran out for the full eighty in the Chile match, with the versatile Marchant on the bench for a 10 minute cameo out wide to replace Max Malins. Tuilagi needs another big run-out before the quarter-finals, and an enjoyable afternoon against his birthplace of Samoa could well see him hit top form.

10. Owen Farrell (Saracens)

9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)

This partnership has not yet been utilised at the Rugby World Cup, and this match against Samoa would be the perfect opportunity to start. England's progression into the knock-out stages is all but confirmed, with Samoa presenting a tough yet beatable opponent to close out Pool D. The latter stages of the tournament could well present untimely injuries, and force Borthwick's hand to select inexperienced partnerships such as Alex Mitchell and Owen Farrell.

Also, after sitting out the match against Chile, Mitchell will be eager for a return to the pitch to shake any lingering nerves before the knock-out stages. After serving a four match ban for a high tackle on Wales' Taine Basham back in the Summer, Farrell picked up from where he left off in the England 10 jersey. Despite the praise for Ford in the Argentina win, Farrell did not miss a beat against the albeit easier South American opponents. Testing the Saracen with a battle against Samoa will measure his game-management skills against the hard-hitting South Sea Islanders, who tend to fly out of their lines.

We share the perspective of Sir Ian McGeechan, who calls for George Ford to be dropped to the bench after Farrell's stunning return to form. However, we do not see this as the definitive answer for the remainder of the tournament. Farrell remains on starting XV probation, and he needs to be given the chance to in Borthwick's words 'boss the game' against Samoa, to solidify his claim for the starting jersey after Ford's heroics against Los Pumas.

1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)

2. Jamie George (Saracens)

3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)

A literal case of 'start as you mean to go on'. England need to figure out their strongest side for the tournament's knock-out stages, and this means bring an end to the revolving door in the front row. Granted it's been exciting to see the likes of Joe Marler, Dan Cole, Bevan Rodd, Will Stuart and Theo Dan test their hand in the starting line-up, but this match against Samoa will paint a picture on who Borthwick should select for the do-or-die knock-out stages.

This is in no way saying don't facilitate injury risks. Have the reinforcements on the bench and act accordingly, if the physical battle begins to wear down the pack against Samoa. But Borthwick needs to identify who his starting front rowers are, with former captain Ellis Genge, veteran hooker Jamie George and experienced tighthead Kyle Sinckler leading the way for the one, two and three jerseys. The main area of contention is at tighthead, as Will Stuart's recent impressive performances has put Sinckler under pressure. Keep Stuart on the bench, and use the first hour of this match to evaluate Sinckler performance against the most physical of opposition.

4. Maro Itoje (Saracens)

5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers)

Similarly to the front row, Borthwick needs to draw his line as to where he stands with his locks. Since returning from injury, Ollie Chessum has resumed his role alongside Maro Itoje, as England's first choice pairing in the second row. It was good to see the duo of midlands rivals George Martin and David Ribbans run out against Chile, but England need to return to Plan A, to finish up the pool stages with an emphatic statement.

Despite the fluidity and chemistry of Chessum and Itoje's partnership, it is surprising that the pair only came into their own during the 2023 Six Nations. The pair pack down the scrum like they have been partners for years, as the coupling of the Saracens and Leicester Tigers has stars has excelled at the set-piece. Both men are confident tacklers as well, with their proven defensive metal set for a test against Samoa. This should be the go-to choice, with Ribbans on the bench to provide cover.

6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)

7. Ben Earl (Saracens)

8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens)

When Steve Borthwick selected Billy Vunipola to be the sole specialist number eight in his 33-man England squad, all eyes turned to the recently injury-returning Saracen. However, Vunipola was soon banned for a high tackle offence against Ireland, as Ben Earl provided appropriate cover in his Sarries teammate's suspended absence. Despite Earl covering well with a strong outing against Argentina, Billy hit top gear as he returned to match action against Japan and Chile.

In a move that no England fan saw coming, Borthwick picked Lewis Ludlam to start at eight over Vunipola for the match against Japan. However, the unorthodox tactics went to the wayside for the latest win over Chile, which is where they should remain in the Pool D closer against Samoa. Another spanner in the works is Tom Curry, as the Sale Sharks man is set to return from suspension against Manu Samoa. We predict to see Curry start on the bench, and will give Vunipola a well-earned break after a physical first half against the Pacific Islanders.

16. Theo Dan (Saracens)

17. Joe Marler (Harlequins)

18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby)

19. David Ribbans (Northampton Saints)

20. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)

21. Danny Care (Harlequins)

22. George Ford (Sale Sharks)

23. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)