'It's Leinster on steroids': What Samoa make of Farrell's Ireland

Samoa head coach Seilala Mapusua is preparing to face “Leinster on steroids” ahead of Saturday’s Rugby World Cup warm-up clash with Ireland in Bayonne. The Samoans will take on a tier-one nation for only the second time since losing 47–5 to Ireland at the 2019 tournament in Japan.

Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad is packed with Leinster players, with nine set to be involved at Stade Jean Dauger. Former London Irish centre Mapusua has inside knowledge of the Dublin-based province thanks to the presence of prop Michael Ala’alatoa and coach Andrew Goodman in his camp.

“Andrew knows the players well from Leinster, as does Michael,” said Mapusua. “Those boys become a different beast when they enter into the Ireland camp.

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“They have excellent coaches: Farrell, Mike Catt, Simon Easterby, Paul O’Connell and the rest, so I think it’s Leinster on steroids. Their (world) ranking speaks for itself.

“They have become a really good team and I say that because they have got some awesome individuals across the park but in terms of their cohesion as a team, they are very much in sync with each other. They are a team that looks like they love playing for each other and love playing for their country.”

Samoa – defeated 49-17 by Italy in November – are in Pool D for the World Cup alongside England, Argentina, Japan and Chile. Mapusua has a host of European-based players at his disposal and ambitions of guiding his country to the knockout stages.

“We are in a good place in terms of we’ve had a bit of time together now,” said the 43-year-old. “Having quality coaches in our setup has meant that we have been able to build over the last two, three years, which is a big change from the last World Cup where the last head coach came in less than 12 months before.

“We are fortunate enough to have this consistent coaching group over the last few years and also a lot of the players that are now available have made a difference.

“I hope to make it out of the pool stage. I’d love to be able to automatically qualify for the next World Cup, so we don’t have to go through a qualification process.”

Samoa (va Ireland, Saturday): D Paia’Aua; E Fidow, UJ Seuteni, T Manu, N Ah Wong; L Sopoaga, J Taumateine; James Lay, J Lam, P Alo-Emile, C Vui (co-capt), T McFarland, T Seu, F Lee, S Luatua. Reps: S Malolo, Jordan Lay, M Ala’alatoa (co-capt), M Fai’ilagi, SJ Taufua, E Enari, C Leali’ifano, N Foma’i.