Manu Samoa head coach Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua has named his strongest line-up yet as the team gears up for Ireland on Sunday morning Apia time in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match.

James Lay, Seilala Lam and Paul Alo-Emile have been named as the front three with co-captain Chris Vui starting and taking over the leadership role for this all-important game.

Vui partners Theo McFarland at lock while Taleni Seu, Fritz Lee and Steven Luatua are on the flanks and at number eight respectively.

Halfback duties have been given to Jonathan Taumateine and Lima Sopoaga will be at flyhalf. Tumua Manu shifts to the midfield to partner Ulupano Junior Seuteni in the centres. Nigel Ah Wong and Ed Fidow are on the wings with Duncan Paia’aua at fullback.

Sama Malolo, Jordan Lay, Michael Ala’alatoa, Miracle Fai’ilagi, Sa Jordan Taufua,Ereatara Enari, Christian Leali’ifano and Neria Foma’I have been named on the bench.

Samoa have been in decent form heading into the match with Ireland, finishing second in the Pacific Nations Cup. They beat Japan and Ireland’s pool opponents Tonga, while losing to Pacific Island rivals Fiji in their other game this month.

Manu Samoa have beaten Ireland once in seven previous encounters, but not since 1996. This match will provide real answers to coach Vaovasamanaia and how good his preparation has been.

World number one side Ireland is expected to win the match, but hope Samoa will provide a good warm-up to compare to their World Cup pool game against Tonga.

Ireland were comfortable winners in their two previous games against England and Italy. Against Italy, the match was described by the coaches for the 33-17 win as featuring a fringe team as a “satisfactory hit-out”, while the win against England with a full-strength team was described as a “flawed yet convincing send-off”.

Ireland’s winning streak is now well into double figures, their last defeat coming against New Zealand in July 2022.

Ireland coach Andy Farrell has made a dozen changes to the Ireland starting line-up for their final World Cup warm-up game, with only Mack Hansen, Tadgh Beirne and Josh van der Flier retained from the team which kicked off last week’s 29-10 win over England.

Manu Samoa faces Ireland at 7.45am on Sunday.