Samoa v Scotland - Preview

Scotland take on Samoa on Saturday aiming for a summer clean sweep after wins over Australia and Fiji.

But head coach Andy Robinson anticipates a gruelling contest against the powerful home side.

"This is going to be our toughest challenge on tour," Robinson told BBC Scotland. "Samoa have picked an experienced, physical side.

"The key for us is to get ourselves into a winning position and then finish the team off."

Samoa, who are ranked one place above the Scots at ninth in the world standings, have recalled some of their big players from leading European clubs for the occasion.

Scotland make three changes from the side that started the 37-25 victory over Fiji .

Flanker Richie Vernon replaces John Barclay, who has been released from the squad in order to arrange his wedding.

Chris Cusiter starts in place of Mike Blair at scrum-half and winger Sean Lamont takes over from Max Evans.

Lamont's extra bulk should come in handy against a formidably big Samoan line-up, while Cusiter gets his chance after playing back-up to Blair in the opening two matches of the tour.

"The ground is hard and it's going to be hot," added Robinson.

"They are going to have a lot of the ball and we need to make sure we knock them on the floor.

"We'll get right in their faces and play with the pace we showed against Fiji, when we had good movement and good speed of ball."

Nick De Luca, who was outstanding in the win over Fiji, was not able to complete the final training session because of a thigh problem, with Joe Ansbro on standby to replace the centre.

Winger Tim Visser will hope to build on his impressive two-try debut against Fiji, while Glasgow forward Rob Harley could win his first cap from the bench.

Saturday will bring a busy year to a close at the weekend, with Scotland having failed to reach the knockout phase of the World Cup and losing all of their Six Nations matches.

"In the World Cup we got into winning positions and did not do that; at the start of the Six Nations, it was the same," explained Robinson.

"The pleasing thing about this tour is that we have put ourselves in positions to win games and we've won them.

"That's the challenge for us on Saturday."

David Lemi, the wing who will play for Worcester next season after a year at Glasgow, skippers the home team, who make five changes from the side that beat Japan 27-26 to win the Pacific Nations Cup.

The most significant addition is the return of Tusi Pisi, the team's main playmaker at fly-half.

Census Johnston, Daniel Crichton, Ben Masoea and Futua Otto are the other players coming into the team.

Scotland last faced Samoa in November 2010 when they needed a last-minute penalty at Pittodrie to secure a 19-16 victory.

Samoa: Faatonia Autagavaia; Paul Perez, Fautua Otto, Paul Williams, David Lemi (capt), Tusi Pisi, Kahn Fotualii; Sakaria Taulafo, Tii Paulo, Census Johnston, Faatiga Lemalu, Daniel Crichton, Benjamin Masoe, Maurie Faasavalu, K Thompson.

Replacements: Wayne Ole Avei, Logovii Mulipola, Io Sefa Tekori, Afa Aiono, Jeremy Sua, Ki Anufe, Lolo Lui.

Scotland : Stuart Hogg; Sean Lamont, Nick De Luca, Matt Scott, Tim Visser; Greig Laidlaw, Chris Cusiter; Ryan Grant, Ross Ford (capt), Euan Murray, Al Kellock, Richie Gray, Al Strokosch, Ross Rennie, Richie Vernon.

Replacements: Scott Lawson, Geoff Cross, Tom Ryder, Rob Harley, Mike Blair, Duncan Weir, Max Evans.