WALES v SAMOA
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Date: 13 November Kick-off: 1930 GMT
Coverage: Live on BBC TWO Wales & online, Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, plus radio commentary online
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Wales boss Warren Gatland hopes his side can bounce back
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Wales coach Warren Gatland is expected to name a much-changed side to face Samoa on Friday from the one that started the 19-12 loss to New Zealand.
Scarlets pair of flanker Dafydd Jones (shoulder) and wing Mark Jones (knee) are unavailable through injury.
But Wales have Sale scrum-half Dwayne Peel and Ospreys forward Jonathan Thomas available for selection.
Samoa are without London Irish wing Sailosi Tagicakibau, who is suffering with an ankle injury.
Tagicakibau was hurt in the Exiles' draw with Harlequins on 31 October and has not played since.
Samoa captain and Tagicakibau team-mate George Stowers said: "He would love to be here and we'll miss him because he's our in-form winger now in England and we'd love to have him in our team.
"But that's an opportunity for another local boy coming over."
Sale scrum-half Peel missed Saturday's defeat to the All Blacks because he was required for club duty that weekend, as the Test fell outside the official release window for international games.
Thomas was suspended for Saturday's game, but his ban ends in time for the Osprey to face Samoa.
With Tests against Argentina and Australia - both above Wales in the International Rugby Board rankings - to follow at the Millennium Stadium, Samoa could be viewed as Wales' weakest November opponents.
But Samoa can boast three wins from six encounters against Wales, playing as first Western Samoa and now in their current incarnation.
Those include two humiliating home losses for Wales in the 1991 and 1999 World Cups and a 34-9 thrashing in Moamoa, Apia, in 1994.
However, the last time the two nations met in 2000 Wales ran out comfortable 50-6 winners in Cardiff.
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606: DEBATE
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Such a one-sided game would be a surprise this time around against a strong Samoa squad.
The Polynesians can boast 10 players who ply their trade in England's Guinness Premiership.
Although Tagicakibau's absence would be a huge loss, Samoa coach Fuimaono Tafua can still call on his London Irish team-mates Seilala Mapusua and Stowers, plus the likes of Wasps' David Lemi and the Tuilagi brothers - Anitelea of Sale and Henry of Perpignan.
Henry Tuilagi is one of five France-based players, while Justin Va'a plays for Glasgow in Scotland and another four play for New Zealand teams that compete at Air New Zealand Cup level or above.
After facing Wales, Samoa will complete their tour with Tests against France and Italy.
Wales coach Gatland names his team on Tuesday lunchtime and could decide to partner Peel with Ospreys youngster Dan Biggar as the starting half-back combination, if he decides to rest Stephen Jones at fly-half and Gareth Cooper.
Another option would be to start with Martin Roberts, who came on for the closing stages against the All Blacks, at scrum-half and partner him with Biggar or his Ospreys team-mate James Hook.
Hook performed well out of position at full-back last Saturday, but Gatland could hand the 15 shirt to Morgan Stoddart of the Scarlets for this match.
Another option for the adaptable Hook would be to partner him at centre with Jonathan Davies, while Blues flyer Tom James is likely to be handed a starting spot on the wing.
Up front, Thomas is almost certain to start at either lock or in the back-row with the Osprey completing a two-week ban for punching Deiniol Jones in the Magners League clash with the Blues.
There could also be a Test debut for 21-year-old back-row Dan Lydiate of the Dragons.
*Follow the Wales team announcement on all BBC Sport Wales outlets on Tuesday 10 November, 1330 GMT
Wales squad:
Backs: Dan Biggar, James Hook, Shane Williams (all Ospreys); Gareth Cooper, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin, Tom James, Leigh Halfpenny (all Blues); Martin Roberts, Stephen Jones, Jonathan Davies, Morgan Stoddart (all Scarlets); Dwayne Peel (Sale).
Forwards: Paul James, Duncan Jones, Craig Mitchell, Huw Bennett, Alun Wyn Jones, Ryan Jones (capt), Jonathan Thomas (all Ospreys); Gethin Jenkins, Bradley Davies, Andy Powell, Sam Warburton, Martyn Williams (all Blues); Matthew Rees (Scarlets); Luke Charteris, Dan Lydiate (both Dragons).
Samoa Squad:
Backs: Junior Poluleuligaga (Bay of Plenty/NZ), Uale Mai (Apia West), Fa'atonu Fili (Wellington/NZ), Lolo Lui (Apia), Seilala Mapusua (London Irish/ENG), Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu (Gloucester/ENG), Gavin Williams (Clermont Auvergne/FRA), Anitelea Tuilagi (Sale/ENG), Henry Fa'afili (Leeds Carnegie/ENG), Sailosi Tagicakibau (London Irish/ENG), David Lemi (Wasps/ENG), Titi Esau (Apia West).
Forwards: Census Johnston (Toulouse/FRA), Justin Va'a (Glasgow/SCO), Jeremiah Fatialofa (Counties Manukau/NZ), Sakaria Taulafo (Tasman Makos/NZ), Mahonri Schwalger (Sale/ENG), Andrew Williams (Apia West), Filipo Levi (Newcastle/ENG), Iosefa Tekori (Castres/FRA), Kane Thompson (Dax/FRA), Jonathon Fa'amatuainu (Bath/ENG), Ofisa Treviranus (Apia West), George Stowers (London Irish/ENG), Misioka Timoteo (Apia), Henry Tuilagi (Perpignan/FRA), Semiperive Semeane (Apia).
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