Team news ahead of the first week of the June test window. All of the Pacific Nations Cup sides are in action, with USA and Fiji both hosting big home games against Italy and Scotland.
Samoa v Tonga 
Vene: Apia Park
Kickoff: 14:00 (local), 14:00 (Tonga), 01:00 (GMT)
Kickoff: 14:00 (local), 14:00 (Tonga), 01:00 (GMT)
Wing Fautua Otto is the only player from the game against Japan to keep a place in the starting XV, with Andy Tuilagi the only other player from the match in the 23. Samoa have rolled out the proper team for this one, although both Kahn Fotuali'i and George Pisi are being left on the bench following back to back final weekends with Northampton, both will probably start in future matches.
Another notable player missing is experienced 34 year old Maurie Fa'asavalu, who was injured in November and hasn't regained his place in the side for this game. Another experienced player Paul Williams is still out injured, whilst impact player Joe Tekori is playing for the World XV against South Africa.
This is a strong team though and will be favourites to put an end to a series of losses following a disappointing November series.
Starting XV: 15 Fa'atoina Autagavaia; 14 Fautua Otto, 13 Alapati Leiua, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 David Lemi (c); 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Jeremy Su'a; 1 Zak Taulafo, 2 Ole Avei, 3 Logovi'i Mulipola; 4 Kane Thompson, 5 Filo Paulo; 6 Faifili Levave, 7 Jack Lam, 8 Taiasina Tuifu'a.
Replacements: 16 Ti'i Paulo, 17 Cencus Johnston, 18 Anthony Perenise; 19 Daniel Leo, 20 Ofisa Treviranus; 21 Kahn Fotuali'i, 22 George Pisi, 23 Andy Tuilagi.
For Tonga:
The Tongans are the most depleted of the PNC sides this June, possibly due to them having no Tier 1 game or no home game at all, there are players missing on most areas of the field for them. Sona Taumalolo at prop (who is playing for World XV against South Africa), Elvis Taione at hooker, Joe Tuineau at lock, Sione Kalamafoni in the back row, Taniela Moa at scrum half and Sione Piukula at centre are all players who you would expect would start normally for them.
Tonga are underdogs this year having to play in their Pacific neighbours back yards, but with players like inspirational captain Nili Latu and bullocking number 8 Viliami Ma'afu they shouldn't be expected to roll over.
Starting XV: 15 Tevita Halaifonua; 14 Otulea Katoa, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Fraser Anderson, 11 Alaska Taufa; 10 Latiume Fosita, 9 Samisoni Fisilau; 1 Tevita Mailau, 2 Suliasi Taufalele, 3 Sila Puafisi; 4 Josh Afu, 5 Lisiate Fa'aoso; 6 Pasuka Mapakaitolo, 7 Nili Latu (c), 8 Viliami Ma'afu.
Replacements: 16 Paul Ngauamo, 17 Eddie Aholelei, 18 Kama Sakalia; 19 Opeti Fonua, 20 Viliami Fihaki; 21 Tane Takulua, 22 Fangatapu Apikotoa, 23 Fetu'u Vainikolo.
Starting XV: 15 Tevita Halaifonua; 14 Otulea Katoa, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Fraser Anderson, 11 Alaska Taufa; 10 Latiume Fosita, 9 Samisoni Fisilau; 1 Tevita Mailau, 2 Suliasi Taufalele, 3 Sila Puafisi; 4 Josh Afu, 5 Lisiate Fa'aoso; 6 Pasuka Mapakaitolo, 7 Nili Latu (c), 8 Viliami Ma'afu.
Replacements: 16 Paul Ngauamo, 17 Eddie Aholelei, 18 Kama Sakalia; 19 Opeti Fonua, 20 Viliami Fihaki; 21 Tane Takulua, 22 Fangatapu Apikotoa, 23 Fetu'u Vainikolo.
Fiji v Italy 
Vene: ANZ Stadium, Suva
Kickoff: 15:10 (local time), 05:10 (Italy), 03:10 (GMT)
For Fiji:
What obviously stands out in this Fiji team is the firepower out wide, they are tremendously talented strike runners who can score from anywhere on the pitch. Fortunately for new coach John McKee the financial problems that saw his predecessor Inoke Male sacked hasn't severely effected the strength of his team. This gives us a rare opportunity to see the Fijians play in front of their home crowd and they have a far better chance than they did in 2012 against Scotland with a weaker team on paper.
There are a couple of absentees of note though, veteran fly half Seremaia Bai who is a key creative cog for the team is missing to focus on his move to Leicester. Number 8 Masi Matadigo is also missing through injury, and Nemani Nagusa starts instead in a surprise selection over Netani Talei who captained the side a few times this time last year.
Despite the immense talent on the wings, the loss of Bai to organise them is a big one and Italy will also targeting the obvious weakness up front. A front row of Campese Ma'afu and Manasa Saulo looks very vulnerable, even more so when there is an uncapped tighthead on the bench as well. Italy have continually managed to squeeze out victories against Tier 2 nations through their scrum in recent times, it came to their rescue against Japan (2011), Canada, Tonga (2012) and Fiji (2013) and they will be hoping they can profit from a vastly superior front row again.
Replacements: 16 Sunia Koto, 17 Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18 Isei Coalti; 19 Wame Lewaravu, 20 Malakai Ravulo; 21 Nikola Matawalu, 22 Watisoni Votu, 23 Adriu Delai.
For Italy:
Despite resting their two all time most capped players Martin Castrogiovanni and Sergio Parisse (who ended last season with niggling injuries), the Azzurri have shown through their team selection they are not taking these games as a chance to liberally experiment and have gone for their strongest available team.
There are 5 changes to the starting XV from the comprehensive thrashing by England. These include the return of big wing Giovanbattista Venditti who missed the 6 Nations, 23 year old scrum half Guglielmo Palazzani is chosen to make his debut ahead of Tito Tebaldi, Gonzalo García is replaced by the more defensively sound Alberto Sgarbi, the 35 year old veteran Mauro Bergamasco comes in for Robert Barbieri and finally with Parisse rested Manoa Vosawai starts at 8 on his return to his native country.
Italy have lost 10 of their last 11 internationals, the only game they won was against Fiji who left the match feeling aggrieved and launched an official complaint against the referee. Italy leaked 4 tries in that game but playing Fiji in Fiji is a more difficult proposition with climate and conditions suiting their style. The Italians have not won a game in Fiji in 3 attempts, they will need to be on top defensive form to break their duck.
Despite resting their two all time most capped players Martin Castrogiovanni and Sergio Parisse (who ended last season with niggling injuries), the Azzurri have shown through their team selection they are not taking these games as a chance to liberally experiment and have gone for their strongest available team.
There are 5 changes to the starting XV from the comprehensive thrashing by England. These include the return of big wing Giovanbattista Venditti who missed the 6 Nations, 23 year old scrum half Guglielmo Palazzani is chosen to make his debut ahead of Tito Tebaldi, Gonzalo García is replaced by the more defensively sound Alberto Sgarbi, the 35 year old veteran Mauro Bergamasco comes in for Robert Barbieri and finally with Parisse rested Manoa Vosawai starts at 8 on his return to his native country.
Italy have lost 10 of their last 11 internationals, the only game they won was against Fiji who left the match feeling aggrieved and launched an official complaint against the referee. Italy leaked 4 tries in that game but playing Fiji in Fiji is a more difficult proposition with climate and conditions suiting their style. The Italians have not won a game in Fiji in 3 attempts, they will need to be on top defensive form to break their duck.
Starting XV: 15 Luke McLean; 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Alberto Sgarbi, 11 Giovanbattista Venditti; 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Guglielmo Palazzani; 1 Matías Agüero, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini; 4 Quintin Geldenhuys (c), 5 Marco Bortolami; 6 Joshua Furno, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 8 Manoa Vosawai.
Replacements: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Andrea de Marchi, 18 Alberto de Marchi; 19 George Biagi, 20 Paul Derbyshire; 21 Tito Tebaldi, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Andrea Masi.
USA v Scotland 
Vene: BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston
Kickoff: 19:30 (local time), 01:30+1d (Scotland), 12:30+1d (GMT)
Odds: Scotland (1.1), USA (9), Handicap (16 pts)
To be streamed live on dailyrecord.co.uk
For USA:
Most of the team was expected, but coach Mike Tolkin confuses with his half back selections. With normal fly halves Adam Siddall and Toby L'Estrange both out injured, Tolkin has selected Sevens player Shalom Suniula at the pivotal role at 10. There is no scrum half on the bench either, meaning Suniula will have to cover there as well which is a risky policy given how weak an area the 9/10 area is for the Eagles. If Suniula is having a shocker then Folau Niua, who's primary position is centre, would have to come on and you would have to leave the out form Petri for 80 minutes.
Other than that there are few surprises. Samu Manoa is having a well earned rest after playing Amlin Challenge Cup and Aviva Premiership finals back to back. Whilst Shawn Pittman also misses out despite being fit again from his concussion problems with Olive Kilifi keeps his place in the starting XV. On the bench there could be two new debutants with explosive back rower Danny Barrett and centre Chad London being called up for the first time.
The USA were utterly underwhelming in their recent performances against Uruguay, a two match series they were losing on aggregate an hour into the second game. With Manoa out, a very risky inexperienced option at 10 and a struggling scrum the odds are not in favour for the Eagles. Having said that they have performed better in front of big home crowds in the past, notably with an understrength squad pushing the Maori All Blacks last year and they will need a repeat of that here. A win here looks unlikely.
Starting XV: 15 Chris Wyles; 14 Blaine Scully, 13 Seamus Kelly, 12 Andrew Suniula, 11 Luke Hume; 10 Shalom Suniula, 9 Mike Petri; 1 Olive Kilifi, 2 Phil Thiel, 3 Eric Fry; 4 Lou Stanfill, 5 Hayden Smith; 6 Todd Clever (c), 7 Scott LaValla, 8 Cam Dolan.
Replacements: 16 Tom Coolican, 17 Nick Wallace, 18 Titi Lamositele; 19 Tai Tuisamoa, 20 Danny Barrett; 21 Folau Niua, 22 Chad London, 23 Tim Maupin.
For Scotland:
The Scots new highly rated acquisition as coach Vern Cotter has named 3 debutants in his first starting lineup. Both prop Gordon Reid and young 21 year old fly half Finn Russell, who has been keeping Duncan Weir out of the side at Glasgow, are in the starting lineup as well as Kiwi flanker Blair Cowan. Another prop Alex Allan and another Kiwi Grayson Hart could also make their debuts of the bench.
The team is much changed from the one that lost 51-3 to Wales and Cotter is set to have a look at a lot of players over his first 4 matches in charge. 44 players in total are in the squad, with the French and English based players leaving after the Canada match and a set of Scottish based players flying in. So rotation is very much in play here, as opposed to picking an outright strongest side.
Starting XV: 15 Stuart Hogg; 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Duncan Taylor, 11 Tim Visser; 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (c); 1 Gordon Reid, 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Geoff Cross; 4 Richie Gray, 5 Jim Hamilton; 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 7 Blair Cowan, 8 Johnnie Beattie.
Replacements: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Alex Allan, 18 Moray Low; 19 Grant Gilchrist, 20 Kieran Low; 21 Grayson Hart, 22 Ruaridh Jackson, 23 Max Evans.
To be streamed live on dailyrecord.co.uk
For USA:
Most of the team was expected, but coach Mike Tolkin confuses with his half back selections. With normal fly halves Adam Siddall and Toby L'Estrange both out injured, Tolkin has selected Sevens player Shalom Suniula at the pivotal role at 10. There is no scrum half on the bench either, meaning Suniula will have to cover there as well which is a risky policy given how weak an area the 9/10 area is for the Eagles. If Suniula is having a shocker then Folau Niua, who's primary position is centre, would have to come on and you would have to leave the out form Petri for 80 minutes.
Other than that there are few surprises. Samu Manoa is having a well earned rest after playing Amlin Challenge Cup and Aviva Premiership finals back to back. Whilst Shawn Pittman also misses out despite being fit again from his concussion problems with Olive Kilifi keeps his place in the starting XV. On the bench there could be two new debutants with explosive back rower Danny Barrett and centre Chad London being called up for the first time.
The USA were utterly underwhelming in their recent performances against Uruguay, a two match series they were losing on aggregate an hour into the second game. With Manoa out, a very risky inexperienced option at 10 and a struggling scrum the odds are not in favour for the Eagles. Having said that they have performed better in front of big home crowds in the past, notably with an understrength squad pushing the Maori All Blacks last year and they will need a repeat of that here. A win here looks unlikely.
Starting XV: 15 Chris Wyles; 14 Blaine Scully, 13 Seamus Kelly, 12 Andrew Suniula, 11 Luke Hume; 10 Shalom Suniula, 9 Mike Petri; 1 Olive Kilifi, 2 Phil Thiel, 3 Eric Fry; 4 Lou Stanfill, 5 Hayden Smith; 6 Todd Clever (c), 7 Scott LaValla, 8 Cam Dolan.
Replacements: 16 Tom Coolican, 17 Nick Wallace, 18 Titi Lamositele; 19 Tai Tuisamoa, 20 Danny Barrett; 21 Folau Niua, 22 Chad London, 23 Tim Maupin.
For Scotland:
The Scots new highly rated acquisition as coach Vern Cotter has named 3 debutants in his first starting lineup. Both prop Gordon Reid and young 21 year old fly half Finn Russell, who has been keeping Duncan Weir out of the side at Glasgow, are in the starting lineup as well as Kiwi flanker Blair Cowan. Another prop Alex Allan and another Kiwi Grayson Hart could also make their debuts of the bench.
The team is much changed from the one that lost 51-3 to Wales and Cotter is set to have a look at a lot of players over his first 4 matches in charge. 44 players in total are in the squad, with the French and English based players leaving after the Canada match and a set of Scottish based players flying in. So rotation is very much in play here, as opposed to picking an outright strongest side.
Starting XV: 15 Stuart Hogg; 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Duncan Taylor, 11 Tim Visser; 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (c); 1 Gordon Reid, 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Geoff Cross; 4 Richie Gray, 5 Jim Hamilton; 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 7 Blair Cowan, 8 Johnnie Beattie.
Replacements: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Alex Allan, 18 Moray Low; 19 Grant Gilchrist, 20 Kieran Low; 21 Grayson Hart, 22 Ruaridh Jackson, 23 Max Evans.
Canada v Japan 
Vene: Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, British Columbia
Kickoff: 18:00 (local), 10:00 (Japan + 1 day), 01:00 (GMT + 1 day)
For Canada:
This is a nearer full strength side than Canada have put out for a while after an injury cursed 2013. Still though Matt Evans, Liam Underwood and Nanyak Dala all are unavailable through injuries, but notably star back DTH van der Merwe has managed a miracolous recovery from shoulder surgery in February which was supposed to see him out for 6 months. van der Merwe hasn't played a game this year so with his rust he is understandably left on the bench.
There is also the big boost of lock Jamie Cudmore coming back into the fold. Canada have not seen much of him outside of World Cup years over his career, but with Clermont finishing their season early he is back and will help significantly boost his team in the tight.
Much of the starting XV picks itself, but there is one surprise in Gordon McRorie coming into the starting lineup for his debut. McRorie is as his name suggests a Scotsman who has qualified through residency after playing rugby in Canada, he did enough in his try scoring performance last week to oust Phil Mack.
The final notable thing about this team is the captain. In November Aaron Carpenter went off injured eraly on against the Maori All Blacks and Tyler Ardron has now taken over both the captaincy and the 8 shirt since then. Carpenter is now being seen as a hooker having rotated between 2 and 8 over the season at Cornish Pirates, but can only make the bench behind Ray Barkwill.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Tiedemann, 17 Aaron Carpenter, 18 Jake Ilnicki; 19 Jon Phelan, 20 Adam Kleeberger; 21 Phil Mack, 22 Connor Braid, 23 DTH van der Merwe.
For Japan:
Eddie Jones has found much of the core of his starting team these days, but here are still a couple of surprises. The thickly built lock Shinya Makabe drops to the bench, possibly as a consequence of missing a straightforward tackle against Samoa in what was the only major error on what was a reasonably good defensive performance. The biggest surprise though is Hendrik Tui being dropped to the bench. Tui has started the last 15 of the 16 games against non-Asian opposition since Jones took over, but he is benched after possibly not one of his best games against Samoa in favour of lock Justin Ives who shifts position to flanker.
Exciting young winger Kenki Fukuoka who is yet to play this year through injury is still out but nearing a return, another exciting youngster Kotaro Matsushima also is ruled out of the June tests after picking up an injury in an impressive performance against Samoa. Centre Craig Wing is a long term absentee, but other than that Japan are full strength.
Japan may have sneaked past Canada last year in rainy conditions but the cards were in their favour that day, this will be the first proper meeting between the sides since the World Cup game in 2011 and will be a good measure of their standings. The Cherry Blossoms will need to up their game on their last performances and be more clinical to see of a well organised Canada outfit.
Eddie Jones has found much of the core of his starting team these days, but here are still a couple of surprises. The thickly built lock Shinya Makabe drops to the bench, possibly as a consequence of missing a straightforward tackle against Samoa in what was the only major error on what was a reasonably good defensive performance. The biggest surprise though is Hendrik Tui being dropped to the bench. Tui has started the last 15 of the 16 games against non-Asian opposition since Jones took over, but he is benched after possibly not one of his best games against Samoa in favour of lock Justin Ives who shifts position to flanker.
Exciting young winger Kenki Fukuoka who is yet to play this year through injury is still out but nearing a return, another exciting youngster Kotaro Matsushima also is ruled out of the June tests after picking up an injury in an impressive performance against Samoa. Centre Craig Wing is a long term absentee, but other than that Japan are full strength.
Japan may have sneaked past Canada last year in rainy conditions but the cards were in their favour that day, this will be the first proper meeting between the sides since the World Cup game in 2011 and will be a good measure of their standings. The Cherry Blossoms will need to up their game on their last performances and be more clinical to see of a well organised Canada outfit.
Starting XV: 15 Ayumu Goromaru; 14 Yoshikazu Fujita, 13 Male Sa'u, 12 Yu Tamura, 11 Akihito Yamada; 10 Harumichi Tatekawa, 9 Fumiaki Tanaka; 1 Masataka Mikami, 2 Shota Horie, 3 Kensuke Hatakeyama; 4 Hitoshi Ono, 5 Luke Thompson; 6 Justin Ives, 7 Michael Leitch (c), 8 Ryu Holani.
Replacements: 16 Hisateru Hirashima, 17 Takeshi Kizu, 18 Hiroshi Yamashita; 19 Shoji Ito, 20 Shinya Makabe, 21 Hendrik Tui; 22 Atsushi Hiwasa, 23 Toshiaki Hirose.
In another game, Georgian talisman Mamuka Gorgodze will face South Africa for the first time in his career playing for a side under the name of "World XV" at 15:00 GMT, joining him is also Tongan Sona Taumalolo and Samoan Joe Tekori.
Replacements: 16 Hisateru Hirashima, 17 Takeshi Kizu, 18 Hiroshi Yamashita; 19 Shoji Ito, 20 Shinya Makabe, 21 Hendrik Tui; 22 Atsushi Hiwasa, 23 Toshiaki Hirose.
In another game, Georgian talisman Mamuka Gorgodze will face South Africa for the first time in his career playing for a side under the name of "World XV" at 15:00 GMT, joining him is also Tongan Sona Taumalolo and Samoan Joe Tekori.
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