England to face Samoa in Four Nations opener

England will face Samoa in the opening game of the 2014 Four Nations after the Samoans defeated Fiji 32-16 at the weekend.

Penani Manumaleali’i scored a hat-trick of tries as Samoa prevailed in front of 9,063 fans in Penrith.

The game was finely poised at 18-16 shortly after half-time, before an Inu penalty and a try from Carlos Tuimavave put Samoa in control.

They went on to win relatively comfortably in the end, although the game ended in controversy, when Samoa prop Sam Tagataese was sent off for an apparent headbutt on Fiji prop Kane Evans.

It means England will now play Samoa in a double header at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Saturday October 25, with Australia and New Zealand also facing off.

2014 Four Nations full schedule

Saturday October 25th – England v Samoa (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane) Double Header

Saturday October 25th – Australia v New Zealand (Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane) Double Header

Saturday November 1st – New Zealand v Samoa (Toll Stadium, Whangarei)

Sunday November 2nd – Australia v England (AAMI Park, Melbourne)

Saturday November 8th – New Zealand v England (Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin)

Sunday November 9th – Australia v Samoa (WIN Stadium, Wollongong)

Saturday November 15th – Final (Westpac Stadium, Wellington)