Team news ahead of the second week of the June test window. The Pacific Nations Cup matches continue, whilst 6 Nations Italy and Scotland move onto to face Canada and Samoa.
Samoa v Italy 
Vene: Apia Park
Kickoff: 14:00 (local), 03:00 (Italy), 01:00 (GMT)
Kickoff: 14:00 (local), 03:00 (Italy), 01:00 (GMT)
Odds: Samoa (1.18), Italy (6.5), Handicap (13 pts)
For Samoa:
For Samoa:
This time last year Samoa crushed Italy 39-10 in Nelspruit with a clinical performance, however the form of Stephen Betham's side was not quite so good last week after a disappointing November series as well.
Betham has made several changes following a lethargic performance last week against Tonga in the draw. George Pisi and Kahn Fotuali'i were both on the bench last week being rested after playing the Premiership final, they will both strengthen the backline.
Cencus Johnston is not chosen to start behind his brother, and Zak Taulafo is also on the bench behind Logovi'i Mulipola who played tighthead last week and Ti'i Paulo swaps places with Ole Avei. In the back row Kane Thompson moves from lock to 8 to replace Taiasina Tuifu'a, and Faifili Levave who limped off with an injury last weekend is replaced by Ofisa Treviranus. There is a new pair of locks with Daniel Leo and Fa'atiga Lemalu coming in, Filo Paulo like Tuifu'a drops out of the 23 with Piula Fa'asalele and Maurie Fa'asavalu preferred. So there is a much changed pack.
This is a very important game for Samoa with a rare chance to host a Tier 1 nation at home in Apia, so you would think they would be highly motivated especially after being robbed by a poor touch judge last time a 6 Nations side visited in 2012. The extra week together as a squad will maybe help improve performance to last week, which they will need to do against what is on paper more experienced opposition.
Betham has made several changes following a lethargic performance last week against Tonga in the draw. George Pisi and Kahn Fotuali'i were both on the bench last week being rested after playing the Premiership final, they will both strengthen the backline.
Cencus Johnston is not chosen to start behind his brother, and Zak Taulafo is also on the bench behind Logovi'i Mulipola who played tighthead last week and Ti'i Paulo swaps places with Ole Avei. In the back row Kane Thompson moves from lock to 8 to replace Taiasina Tuifu'a, and Faifili Levave who limped off with an injury last weekend is replaced by Ofisa Treviranus. There is a new pair of locks with Daniel Leo and Fa'atiga Lemalu coming in, Filo Paulo like Tuifu'a drops out of the 23 with Piula Fa'asalele and Maurie Fa'asavalu preferred. So there is a much changed pack.
This is a very important game for Samoa with a rare chance to host a Tier 1 nation at home in Apia, so you would think they would be highly motivated especially after being robbed by a poor touch judge last time a 6 Nations side visited in 2012. The extra week together as a squad will maybe help improve performance to last week, which they will need to do against what is on paper more experienced opposition.
Starting XV: 15 Fa'atoina Autagavaia; 14 Fautua Otto, 13 George Pisi, 12 Alapati Leiua, 11 David Lemi (c); 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i; 1 Logovi'i Mulipola, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 3 James Johnston; 4 Fa'atiga Lemalu, 5 Daniel Leo; 6 Ofisa Treviranus, 7 Jack Lam, 8 Kane Thompson.
Replacements: 16 Ole Avei, 17 Cencus Johnston, 18 Zak Taulafo; 19 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 20 Piula Fa'asalele; 21 Patrick Fa'apale, 22 Vavao Afemai, 23 Johnny Leota.
For Italy:
Italy have made several changes to the side that lost in Fiji last week which suggest coach Jacques Brunel was too happy with his team, as well as wanting to rotate his team.
Over half the starting team is changed with 8 in total. A new pair of half backs is put in place, as is a new midfield with Andrea Masi coming into make his first start for a year, as well as the at times defensively fragile Gonzalo García. Young winger Angelo Esposito comes in for Leonardo Sarto, who lost the ball a couple of times after going on runs last weekend.
In the pack, Paul Derbyshire and George Biagi swap with Joshua Furno and Marco Bortolami to go from the bench to start, it will be Biagi's first start in Italian colours. Robert Barbieri also returns ahead of Manoa Vosawai who didn't have the best of games against the country of his birth last week.
Astonishingly, Italy have been made quite large underdogs for this game despite being the Tier 1 team which just shows what a bad run they've been on. Brunel's side has won just 1 of their last 12 games.
Over half the starting team is changed with 8 in total. A new pair of half backs is put in place, as is a new midfield with Andrea Masi coming into make his first start for a year, as well as the at times defensively fragile Gonzalo García. Young winger Angelo Esposito comes in for Leonardo Sarto, who lost the ball a couple of times after going on runs last weekend.
In the pack, Paul Derbyshire and George Biagi swap with Joshua Furno and Marco Bortolami to go from the bench to start, it will be Biagi's first start in Italian colours. Robert Barbieri also returns ahead of Manoa Vosawai who didn't have the best of games against the country of his birth last week.
Astonishingly, Italy have been made quite large underdogs for this game despite being the Tier 1 team which just shows what a bad run they've been on. Brunel's side has won just 1 of their last 12 games.
Starting XV: 15 Luke McLean; 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Andrea Masi, 12 Gonzalo García, 11 Giovanbattista Venditti; 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Tito Tebaldi; 1 Alberto de Marchi, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini; 4 Quintin Geldenhuys (c), 5 George Biagi; 6 Paul Derbyshire, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 8 Robert Barbieri.
Replacements: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Matías Aguëro, 18 Dario Chistolini; 19 Marco Bortolami, 20 Joshua Furno; 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Luciano Orquera, 23 Tommaso Iannone.
Fiji v Tonga 
Vene: Churchill Park, Lautoka
Kickoff: 15:10 (local time), 16:10 (Tonga), 03:10 (GMT)
Odds: Fiji (1.37), Tonga (3.75), Handicap (8 pts)
For Fiji:
After beating Italy, coach John McKee has opted to give more members of his squad an outing by rotating his team. 6 players come into the starting lineup in Leone Nakarawa, Malakai Ravulo, Nikola Matawalu, Watisoni Votu, Adriu Delai and Sireli Bobo. The likes of Napolioni Nalaga and Metuisela Talebula who had long domestic seasons take a rest ahead of the big game at home to rivals Samoa, and a few others are probably missing out through rotation.
The selection suggests that McKee is pretty confident in his depth against Tonga, who surprised Samoa last week by holding them to a draw in Apia. At home, Fiji will be favourites though despite the rotated backline.
A special note to Sireli Bobo who at 38 years old is still going strong and will become the oldest ever player to represent Fiji this weekend. Age doesn't seem to be stopping Bobo, in last year's PNC he played tremendously and recently he scored 6 tries in 10 games in helping La Rochelle to promotion to the Top 14 and is still has a professional contract for next season.
After beating Italy, coach John McKee has opted to give more members of his squad an outing by rotating his team. 6 players come into the starting lineup in Leone Nakarawa, Malakai Ravulo, Nikola Matawalu, Watisoni Votu, Adriu Delai and Sireli Bobo. The likes of Napolioni Nalaga and Metuisela Talebula who had long domestic seasons take a rest ahead of the big game at home to rivals Samoa, and a few others are probably missing out through rotation.
The selection suggests that McKee is pretty confident in his depth against Tonga, who surprised Samoa last week by holding them to a draw in Apia. At home, Fiji will be favourites though despite the rotated backline.
A special note to Sireli Bobo who at 38 years old is still going strong and will become the oldest ever player to represent Fiji this weekend. Age doesn't seem to be stopping Bobo, in last year's PNC he played tremendously and recently he scored 6 tries in 10 games in helping La Rochelle to promotion to the Top 14 and is still has a professional contract for next season.
Replacements: 16 Vili Veikoso, 17 Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18 Isei Coalti; 19 Api Naikatini, 20 Nemani Nagusa; 21 Nemani Kenatale, 22 Waisea Nayacalevu, 23 Metuisela Talebula.
For Tonga:
After a positive draw away to Samoa where they came into the match as big underdogs with a less than full strength side, Tonga coach Mana Otai has gone with the exactly the same 23 to face Fiji. The surprisingn omission is that of Fetu'u Vainikolo who made an impact from the bench last week.
Captain Nili Latu has said in the build up that Tonga will be targeting Fiji up front where they struggled against Italy, and the fact Tonga are unchanged whereas their opponents have several changes could also play to their advantage.
Players like Latu stood up to lead the team last week, but with several players missing in a few places of the field Tonga are still big underdogs. This is the Ikale Tahi's last international match of the month, they will play a Pacific Barbarians side in New Zealand next week.
After a positive draw away to Samoa where they came into the match as big underdogs with a less than full strength side, Tonga coach Mana Otai has gone with the exactly the same 23 to face Fiji. The surprisingn omission is that of Fetu'u Vainikolo who made an impact from the bench last week.
Captain Nili Latu has said in the build up that Tonga will be targeting Fiji up front where they struggled against Italy, and the fact Tonga are unchanged whereas their opponents have several changes could also play to their advantage.
Players like Latu stood up to lead the team last week, but with several players missing in a few places of the field Tonga are still big underdogs. This is the Ikale Tahi's last international match of the month, they will play a Pacific Barbarians side in New Zealand next week.
Starting XV: 15 David 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 Kama Sakalia, 18 Eddie Aholelei; 19 Opeti Fonua, 20 Viliami Fihaki; 21 Tane Takulua, 22 Fangatapu Apikotoa, 23 Fetu'u Vainikolo.
Replacements: 16 Paul Ngauamo, 17 Kama Sakalia, 18 Eddie Aholelei; 19 Opeti Fonua, 20 Viliami Fihaki; 21 Tane Takulua, 22 Fangatapu Apikotoa, 23 Fetu'u Vainikolo.
Canada v Scotland 
Vene: BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario
Kickoff: 14:10 (local time), 19:10 (Scotland), 18:10 (GMT)
Odds: Scotland (1.1), Canada (10), Handicap (15 pts)
For Canada:
Coach Kieran Crowley has not decided to make wholesale changes to his side after the stunning defeat to Japan, with only 3 in total.
Former captain Aaron Carpenter will make his first ever start for Canada at hooker in his 56th cap coming in for Ray Barkwill, he has been switched from the back row to hooker this June but came off the bench to play flanker last week after late injuries altered the composition of the bench. Flanker Jebb Sinclair was that late injury and he returns to the starting team to boost the side, former Beardo Adam Kleeberger is dropped is altogether as Kyle Gilmour who has 1 cap won last November comes onto the bench. The final change is that Scottish scrum half Gordon McRorie misses out to start against his country of birth and is replaced by Phil Mack.
Interestingly Nick Blevins who came in for criticism from fans for the defensive positioning errors in the second half last week retains his place. And star back DTH van der Merwe who was rushed back from a shoulder injury for a surprise inclusion on the bench last week remains there, if he was fully fit you'd expect he would start. There is also still no place for Phil Mackenzie or Conor Trainor who were reported last week to be playable but not 100% fully fit. The lack of a fully fit van der Merwe or Mackenzie is a blow
Big underdogs for this game, but the chances Canada have of a possible win shouldn't be confused with that of the off form and underperforming USA side Scotland faced last week, although the lack of a fully fit van der Merwe or Mackenzie is a blow though, as was the manner of the defeat to Japan and the defence and scrum will need to find a lot more form. Last time these sides met Canada were at an all time nadir lost 41-0, at least that shouldn't happen again though.
Starting XV: 15 James Pritchard; 14 Jeff Hassler, 13 Ciaran Hearn, 12 Nick Blevins, 11 Taylor Paris; 10 Harry Jones, 9 Phil Mack; 1 Hubert Buydens, 2 Aaron Carpenter, 3 Jason Marshall; 4 Tyler Hotson, 5 Jamie Cudmore; 6 Jebb Sinclair, 7 John Moonlight, 8 Tyler Ardron (c).
Replacements: 16 Ray Barkwill, 17 Andrew Tiedemann, 18 Jake Ilnicki; 19 Kyle Gilmour, 20 Jon Phelan; 21 Gordon McRorie, 22 Connor Braid, 23 DTH van der Merwe.
For Scotland:
The Scots have made 4 changes from the side that comfortably beat the USA 24-6. A couple are injury enforced in Duncan Taylor and Jim Hamilton who are both flying home and are replaced by Peter Horne and Grant Gilchrist, whilst former captain Kelly Brown comes into strengthen the team after resting during the match in Houston following playing the Premiership final with Saracens. The other change is a swap between Moray Low and Geoff Cross at tighthead prop.
Coach Vern Cotter has been planning on rotating his players over the course of the month, and the French and English based players here will not play the final two games of the tour against Argentina and South Africa.
Starting XV: 15 Stuart Hogg; 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Peter Horne, 11 Tim Visser; 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (c); 1 Gordon Reid, 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Moray Low; 4 Richie Gray, 5 Grant Gilchrist; 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 7 Kelly Brown, 8 Johnnie Beattie.
Replacements: 16 Kevin Bryce, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Geoff Cross; 19 Kieran Low, 20 Blair Cowan; 21 Grayson Hart, 22 Ruaridh Jackson, 23 Max Evans.
For Canada:
Coach Kieran Crowley has not decided to make wholesale changes to his side after the stunning defeat to Japan, with only 3 in total.
Former captain Aaron Carpenter will make his first ever start for Canada at hooker in his 56th cap coming in for Ray Barkwill, he has been switched from the back row to hooker this June but came off the bench to play flanker last week after late injuries altered the composition of the bench. Flanker Jebb Sinclair was that late injury and he returns to the starting team to boost the side, former Beardo Adam Kleeberger is dropped is altogether as Kyle Gilmour who has 1 cap won last November comes onto the bench. The final change is that Scottish scrum half Gordon McRorie misses out to start against his country of birth and is replaced by Phil Mack.
Interestingly Nick Blevins who came in for criticism from fans for the defensive positioning errors in the second half last week retains his place. And star back DTH van der Merwe who was rushed back from a shoulder injury for a surprise inclusion on the bench last week remains there, if he was fully fit you'd expect he would start. There is also still no place for Phil Mackenzie or Conor Trainor who were reported last week to be playable but not 100% fully fit. The lack of a fully fit van der Merwe or Mackenzie is a blow
Big underdogs for this game, but the chances Canada have of a possible win shouldn't be confused with that of the off form and underperforming USA side Scotland faced last week, although the lack of a fully fit van der Merwe or Mackenzie is a blow though, as was the manner of the defeat to Japan and the defence and scrum will need to find a lot more form. Last time these sides met Canada were at an all time nadir lost 41-0, at least that shouldn't happen again though.
Starting XV: 15 James Pritchard; 14 Jeff Hassler, 13 Ciaran Hearn, 12 Nick Blevins, 11 Taylor Paris; 10 Harry Jones, 9 Phil Mack; 1 Hubert Buydens, 2 Aaron Carpenter, 3 Jason Marshall; 4 Tyler Hotson, 5 Jamie Cudmore; 6 Jebb Sinclair, 7 John Moonlight, 8 Tyler Ardron (c).
Replacements: 16 Ray Barkwill, 17 Andrew Tiedemann, 18 Jake Ilnicki; 19 Kyle Gilmour, 20 Jon Phelan; 21 Gordon McRorie, 22 Connor Braid, 23 DTH van der Merwe.
For Scotland:
The Scots have made 4 changes from the side that comfortably beat the USA 24-6. A couple are injury enforced in Duncan Taylor and Jim Hamilton who are both flying home and are replaced by Peter Horne and Grant Gilchrist, whilst former captain Kelly Brown comes into strengthen the team after resting during the match in Houston following playing the Premiership final with Saracens. The other change is a swap between Moray Low and Geoff Cross at tighthead prop.
Coach Vern Cotter has been planning on rotating his players over the course of the month, and the French and English based players here will not play the final two games of the tour against Argentina and South Africa.
Starting XV: 15 Stuart Hogg; 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Peter Horne, 11 Tim Visser; 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (c); 1 Gordon Reid, 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Moray Low; 4 Richie Gray, 5 Grant Gilchrist; 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 7 Kelly Brown, 8 Johnnie Beattie.
Replacements: 16 Kevin Bryce, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Geoff Cross; 19 Kieran Low, 20 Blair Cowan; 21 Grayson Hart, 22 Ruaridh Jackson, 23 Max Evans.
USA v Japan 
Vene: StubHub Center, Carson, California
Kickoff: 19:30 (local), 11:30 (Japan + 1d), 12:30 (GMT + 1d)
Odds: Japan (1.53), USA (2.88), Handicap (5 pts)
For USA:
The USA have made several changes following the slightly disappointing loss to Scotland last weekend. In the backline, there is the injury enforced change with Folau Niua coming in for Andrew Suniula and at wing Tim Maupin comes in for Luke Hume who barely got the ball in attack last week.
Meanwhile in the pack Tolkin has taken a risk in starting Nick Wallace, who last year was wrecked by the same opposition in Tokyo, and Olive Kilifi who is still relatively inexperienced at this level and didn't have his best of games last weekend and is put on his less preferred side. Japan will obviously be fancying their chances to massacre that scrum.
Another risk is the lack of any back up to the 9/10 position on the bench. If a player is having a nightmare it will be difficult to take them off knowing that if you do you're one injury away from playing someone with even hardly any training and experience at half back.
There is the boost though of the return of Samu Manoa, who has the potential to make a big difference to the struggling attack we saw in Houston. Manoa replaces Hayden Smith who drops out of the squad, whilst Scott LaValla moves from the back row to partner him at lock. Danny Barrett will get his first start in LaValla's place.
On the bench there is an interesting selection of Thretton Palamo. The youngest player at the 2007 World Cup as a teenager, Palamo was a highly talented athlete who left the sport to play American Football and now has returned 6 years after his last cap for the Eagles in 2008 also against Japan. Also on the bench there is Miles Craigwell, an ex American Football player, the 28 year old has been in a few squads of late but is now set to make his full debut if he comes on. There is quite a bit of inexperience on the bench, besides Fry and Stanfill there is just 14 caps between them.
Tolkin's team are coming into this game off some poor form in 2014. The Eagles need to put in a good performance in June as a big loss at home to either Japan or Canada would really damage USA fans confidence of the set up leading into the World Cup.
Replacements: 16 Tom Coolican, 17 Eric Fry, 18 Titi Lamositele; 19 Lou Stanfill, 20 Kyle Sumsion; 21 Chad London, 22 Thretton Palamo, 23 Miles Craigwell.
For Japan:
Eddie Jones has made 2 changes from the side that won in Canada last week. One is an injury enforced change with wing Yoshikazu Fujita dislocating his shoulder in the process of scoring his 22nd international try, in his replace comes another exciting youngster Kenki Fukuoka who makes a timely return from injury that has prevented him playing for Japan this year. The other change is at lock, where Shoji Ito comes into replace Hitoshi Ono who didn't have his best game against Canada.
Japan will be full of confidence following their comeback win against Canada, and although they are playing away from home they are favourites to reach their 9th consecutive win here given their opponents lack of form in recent matches.
Eddie Jones has made 2 changes from the side that won in Canada last week. One is an injury enforced change with wing Yoshikazu Fujita dislocating his shoulder in the process of scoring his 22nd international try, in his replace comes another exciting youngster Kenki Fukuoka who makes a timely return from injury that has prevented him playing for Japan this year. The other change is at lock, where Shoji Ito comes into replace Hitoshi Ono who didn't have his best game against Canada.
Japan will be full of confidence following their comeback win against Canada, and although they are playing away from home they are favourites to reach their 9th consecutive win here given their opponents lack of form in recent matches.
Starting XV: 15 Ayumu Goromaru; 14 Akihito Yamada, 13 Male Sa'u, 12 Yu Tamura, 11 Kenki Fukuoka; 10 Harumichi Tatekawa, 9 Fumiaki Tanaka; 1 Masataka Mikami, 2 Shota Horie, 3 Kensuke Hatakeyama; 4 Shoji Ito, 5 Luke Thompson; 6 Justin Ives, 7 Michael Leitch (c), 8 Ryu Holani.
Replacements: 16 Hisateru Hirashima, 17 Takeshi Kizu, 18 Hiroshi Yamashita; 19 Shinya Makabe, 20 Hitoshi Ono, 21 Hendrik Tui; 22 Atsushi Hiwasa, 23 Toshiaki Hirose.
Replacements: 16 Hisateru Hirashima, 17 Takeshi Kizu, 18 Hiroshi Yamashita; 19 Shinya Makabe, 20 Hitoshi Ono, 21 Hendrik Tui; 22 Atsushi Hiwasa, 23 Toshiaki Hirose.
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