Worsley is holding no fear of the tough tackling Samoans

When they were team-mates at London Wasps, Worsley saw at close quarters the frightening approach of a player who was arguably the hardest tackler ever to play rugby.

Leota's play sums up the spirit of the Samoans, who gave South Africa a real fright for the first half of their pool match. It was a clash which the Springboks likened to cage fighting as the Islanders made the ruck and maul a mini-war zone - and Worsley is expecting another bruising encounter when England play Samoa in Nantes.

He said: "When Trevor first turned up at Wasps he went around smashing us to bits in training and we had a word with him and came to an agreement that he would save the big shots for the opposition.

"We now have Dan Leo in our back row and he is another great Samoan player. He is very skillful and will pose a threat on Saturday.

"Having played with, and against, Samoan players I know exactly what's coming our way - they view making a big tackle with the same importance as scoring a try or cutting through the defence. That is not the case in other parts of the rugby world.

"Samoan players are very fine physical specimens and phenomenal athletes but once you have played against them then the experience isn't so much of a shock to the system.

"Part of me wants to be tested in those situations and I always try to stay cold-minded and not let the emotions get to me before a big game."

England are rightly wary of the threat they are about to face, as the Samoans are smarting from a poor display against arch rivals-Tonga, who emerged with a shock victory on Sunday.

That result complicated the picture for England and they have to defeat both Island nations to claim a place in the quarter-finals, likely to be against Australia in Marseille.

While Leota has retired from Test rugby, the Samoans still boast players who can legally damage the opposition with big tackles such as Henry Tuilagi, the dreadlocked brother of the equally large Alesana, who prowls the left touch line for Samoa.

Worsley has taken over from Wasps team-mate Tom Rees at open side flanker, which puts him directly in the firing line at the break down.

It will be his job to increase England's physicality in this key area and, coming in at 6ft 5ins and 17st, he at least has a body equipped to give and take the big tackles.

Worsley played in the opening World Cup pool match with United States and despite a 28-10 win in a poor game, he was dropped along with club captain Lawrence Dallaglio.

A clearly "gutted" Dallaglio is still waiting to be recalled and Worsley admits the veteran No8 is desperate to be involved but, for now, only one of the three Wasps back row forwards in this England squad is required against Samoa.

Being axed was nothing new for Worsley, who has given up trying second guess selectors, preferring to concentrate on the things he can control. He added: "I have been dropped three or four times since the 2003 World Cup. Normally, it's to do with line out options and, to be honest, I just keep my head down.

"This isn't just a big game for me - it's a huge one for everyone involved with England."