Warriors wing Ed Fidow will make his Rugby World Cup debut for Samoa in their opening Pool A match against Russia in Kumagaya on Tuesday.
Fidow, who has joined Warriors from French Pro-D2 club Provence, has scored eight tries in his first eight internationals or Samoa since he made his debut in June 2018. No player has been more prolific in their first eight internationals in the professional era.
Fidow, who previously impressed on the international sevens circuit, scored a hat-trick of tries in a World Cup qualifier against Germany in Apia last year which helped them book their passage to Japan.
Samoa will be captained by former Warriors back-row forward Chris Vui, now with Bristol Bears, against Russia as regular skipper Jack Lam is injured.
Fidow is one of eight World Cup debutants in Samoa’s side and is one of ten players who faced Australia in their last warm-up match two weeks ago.
Russia opened their World Cup campaign with a 30-10 defeat against the hosts in the tournament opener in Tokyo on Friday.