SKINT SAMOANS TO GET A LIFELINE

RFU chiefs are willing to hand Samoa a cash boost once they have sorted out their dispute with World Rugby.

The skint South Sea Islanders are close to bankruptcy and have begged the Union to bail them out ahead of next month’s clash with England at Twickenham. But Twickers bosses will not splash the cash until Samoa have buried the hatchet with world rulers.

RFU chief executive Steve Brown (left) said: “A goodwill gesture by definition comes from us, is not demanded of us. We don’t rule that out. It is very awkward because we are being asked to consider a goodwill gesture against a backdrop of a dispute we are not involved in.”

The Samoans will get all their bills in England covered by the RFU for the game on November 25, but they are after an extra £150,000. Last year the Union gave £75,000 to help Fiji.