Match fees

England prop Mako Vunipola had suggested giving a portion of their £22,000 individual fee towards Samoa’s players, who will earn £650 from the game at Twickenham. The idea initially received widespread support within the squad, however the senior player group decided that a donation could have inflamed a delicate stand-off between the Samoa Rugby Union and World Rugby. 

Mako Vunipola, the Saracens prop who comes from a Tongan family, had proposed donating at least £1,000 per player earlier this month and it was understood at the time that there was near universal agreement within the squad to do so.

Samoa's players only receive a £650 match fee in contrast and a widespread appeal has been launched - #HELPSAMOA - to help offset financial problems within the Samoan union which declared itself bankrupt only a few weeks ago.