ENG eve of match (v SAM): Harrison, Cole, Marchant

Tom Harrison, scrum coach

On Jack Willis being out of Rugby World Cup 2023 and news of any replacement:

"Gutting for him and gutting for all of us. He was great when he was here. In terms of a replacement there are meetings going on, but no update."

On what he expects from Samoa:

"They are going to try and challenge us physically. They will be very direct and there will be some big collisions."

On how players manage the physicality of the game against Samoa with a quarter-final a week later:

"Players have to front up. Physically you can’t step back, you’ve got to step forward. You have got to be smart in how you play."

Dan Cole, prop

On the influence of Manu Tuilagi and his brothers on Leicester, England and Samoan rugby:

"It’s been massive. The way in which the brothers have played for Leicester and performed. Culturally they’ve set the tone in the way they’ve played.

"Manu has been a big part of England since 2010 or 2011 when he got capped - the way he plays on the front foot, the physicality he brings and the deftness of the touches around the field.

"In defence he is also a big presence. He is a great player for us and I know he is very excited for this weekend. It’s the first time he has ever played against Samoa so he and his family are really looking forward to the occasion."

On Tuilagi being fit again after injuries:

"He has overcome a lot. Credit to him as he has kept going and he is playing some of his best rugby.

"He is loving every minute. When you first come on the scene you take it for granted but he and a few of the older guys appreciate it a lot more.

"I know Manu enjoys every day and what he brings to the team on and off the field. He is a great guy to be in squad and have around. And he makes great coffee too, which is a bonus."

On how Tuilagi has matured over the years:

"When he first played he was an outstanding talent, you knew that straight away. He burst onto the scene and he was unstoppable. As time has gone on he’s married, had children. It matures a man and he has embraced that role. You’ve gone form a young guy, who was obviously very talented, to that more senior role in the team. He has a wealth of experience.

"He brings a lot off the field, which is great not just for the young guys but for everyone around. He is very level-headed and brings an appreciation of playing and the day to day as there have been periods of his life when he’s not been able to do it day to day. He brings that joy to the environment which we all feed off."

On when Tuilagi is on his game:

"Just give him the ball. Let him do his thing. Easy. Game plan sorted. Having someone of the physicality of Manu and what he can do, not just physicality-wise but the way he runs, the way he hits, his ability to attract defenders."

On how he prepares with it being almost a month since the opening game against Argentina:

"I do as I’m told. Whether you are playing or not, you are prepared to step in at any moment. You find out on the Monday or Tuesday whether you’re picked or not, then you play your role in the team."

On if he was told which games he would be playing:

"The team is picked week to week. You know your role in the team whether it’s starting bench or supporting the team as third choice. You do that role as best you can as ultimately it helps the team."

On captain Owen Farrell set to overtake Jonny Wilkinson as England’s all-time top point scorer:

“They are two phenomenal players. Anyone who is in the same ranking as Jonny Wilkinson, you have to be a great player.

"For Owen to potentially surpass the point-scoring record, well, Owen has played a lot so it shows you how good Jonny Wilkinson was in his time but how good Owen is and how consistent he is with his goal-kicking and with his application.

"For him to be as good as he is for as long as he has been takes some dedication on and off the field. He is a leader, he is captain for a reason and he has shown his quality throughout the 100-or-whatever test matches he has played.

"Hopefully tomorrow or at some point in this tournament he will get a chance to break the record. It would help if the wingers didn’t score in the corner all the time."

Joe Marchant, wing

On being included in the starting XV:

"I’m really excited. The Samoans are going to come strong this week and they are going to be physical. Being on the wing it is always about staying alive as you never know when it’s going to come."

On the kick-chase game:

"The main thing is getting the ball back. We have got some great kickers who can put it on the money so for us to go after it and get it back is a huge chunk of that and you’ve got to commit to it.

"You can see the impact on the boys when we do get the ball back. They are able to play the ball away and make things happen."

On how England’s attacking game will change having Owen Farrell and George Ford in the team:

"Having two ball players at 10 and 12 makes it more fluid. They are both amazing 10s in their own right so to have them both is huge for the team."

On how his role changes with Farrell and Ford in the team:

"It doesn’t change too much. When I’m playing at 13 or on the wing I still end up in pretty similar positions. Same with Manu [outside-centre], he’s got his role."

On how he has matured after just missing out on squad for RWC 2019:

"I feel that I’ve grown as a person and a player. I played in the three warm-up games then and was gutted not to be picked. A four-year cycle is a long time to get on top of the things you want to progress in.

"I feel that physically and mentally I’m in a good place and just really enjoying my rugby, which is a huge thing for me. I play my best with a smile on my face."

On if he had RWC 2023 marked in his diary:

"Every World Cup is always ring-fenced for anyone who is a keen rugby fan or player. I’ve always wanted to play in a World Cup since I was a kid so I was buzzing when Steve [Borthwick, head coach] picked me."

On if other teams now see England as contenders:

“We didn’t think about everyone else. The sole focus this campaign from the start of the warm-up games was about us becoming a good team, a great team, a team that could win the World Cup.

"There has never been any real thoughts about what other people are thinking about us. It’s just what we can do on the pitch and for us it’s one game at a time

"We’ve started with three great games in this World Cup and we’re just looking forward to the fourth."