Former England cap Jacob Umaga receives Test call-up

Former England international Jacob Umaga has been named in new head coach Tusi Pisi’s first Manu Samoa squad for the Test against Scotland at Eden Park in July and the Pacific Nations Cup in August and September.

Umaga, who won his only England cap under Eddie Jones against the USA four years ago, could now follow in the footsteps of his father, Mike Umaga, who won 13 caps for Manu Samoa and appeared at Rugby World Cup 1995.

The Yorkshire-born 26-year-old has been alternating between fly-half and full-back for URC side Benetton, where he is in the final year of a three-year contract.

Umaga is not the only player with a famous father to be included in the squad, as Niko Jones, the son of All Blacks great Michael, is also in there as one of the 11 uncapped players.

The Manu Samoa squad, led by Saracens loose forward Theo McFarland, comprises players from clubs based in seven different countries.

USA’s Major League Rugby has seven representatives – including uncapped former Northampton and Bedford scrum-half Connor Tupai, who is now with San Diego Legion – which is three more than Super Rugby franchise Moana Pasifika.

“I have chosen warriors who understand the weight of the jersey,” said former fly-half Pisi.

“Our selection blends experience with fresh talent – players, who rise to the challenge of representing our people.

“With our first Test against Scotland, we respect them, but we play for Samoa. And with the Pacific Nations Cup, it becomes our battlefield for World Cup qualification where every tackle, every scrum, and every point is a step towards Australia 2027.”

Manu Samoa squad:

Aki SEIULI – Utah Warriors, USA
Titi LAMOSITELE – Harlequins, UK
Kaynan SITEINE-TUA* – Western Sydney Two Blues, AUSTRALIA
Luteru TOLAI  – Biarritz, FRANCE
Pita ANAE-AH SUE* – Houston SaberCats, USA
Leif SCHWENCKE* – Linton Lions, NZ
Michael ALAALATOA – ASM Clermont, FRANCE
Marco FEPULEA’I – Uta & Alamagoto Colomiers Rugby, FRANCE
Tietie TUIMAUGA – Montauban Rugby, FRANCE
Bradley Soo AMITUANAI* – Waratahs, AUSTRALIA
Samuel SLADE – Moana Pasifika, NZ
Benjamin Petaia NEE-NEE – Seawaves, JAPAN
Michael CURRY – Moana Pasifika, NZ
Olajuwon NOA – Seattle Seawolves, USA
Theodore MCFARLAND (C) – Saracens, UK
Jonah MAU’U – NOLA Gold Rugby, USA
Taleni SEU – Toyota Shokki Shuttles, JAPAN
Niko JONES* – Waitemata, NZ
Malaesaili ELATO* – Marist Rugby Club/Apia, NPC, SAMOA
Iakopo MAPU – Northampton Saints, UK
Melani MATAVAO – Moana Pasifika, NZ
Connor TUPAI* – San Diego Legion, USA
Joel LAM* – Burnside Rugby Football Club, NZ
Jacob UMAGA* – Benetton Treviso, ITALY
Alai D’Angelo LEUILA – Utah Warriors Rugby, USA
Rodney IONA – Seattle Seawolves, USA
Duncan PAIA’AUA – Toulou, FRANCE
Henry TAEFU – Docomo Redhurricanes, JAPAN
Melani NANAI  – Capilano, CANADA
Afa MOLELI – Ardmore Marist, NZ
Taunuu NIULEVAEA* – Laumua o Tumua, NPC, SAMOA
Tuna TUITAMA – Moana Pasifika, NZ
Elisapeta ALOFIPO – Hunter Wildfire Newcastle, AUSTRALIA
Tomasi ALOSIO – Ardmore Marist Club, NZ
Latrell AH KIONG*  – Western Sydney Two Blues, AUSTRALIA
*Denotes Potential Test Debut for Manu Samoa

Key Dates:

Manu Samoa v Scotland
18th July – Manu Samoa v Scotland – Eden Park, Auckland,

Manu Samoa PNC 2025 / RWC 2027 Qualification
23rd August – Manu Samoa v Tonga – Round 1 PNC – Nukualofa, Tonga
6th September – Manu Samoa v Fiji – Round 2 PNC – Rotorua, NZ
14th September – PNC Semi Finals – Denver, USA
20th September – PNC Finals – Utah, USA