Samoa looking to build at Paris 7s

Samoa already have one eye on next month's Olympic sevens qualifying tournament and say the World Series legs in Paris and London are all about getting the team ready for June.

RNZI reports the Manu won their second Plate title of the season last month in Singapore, where they achieved major victories against Fiji and New Zealand.

Head coach Damian McGrath said his team is starting to show more consistency.

"They've proved in this last tournament (beating) Fiji, New Zealand and Fiji in Vegas. These players for all their lack of a professional background and their amateur status they've proved that they can punch way above their weight and they're longer they're involved and the longer they get the chance to condition with our staff - the better they get so I have every confidence."

Etuefa Fiavaai replaced Phoenix Hunapo-Nofoa, who is unavailable for family reasons, in the only change to the Manu squad for Paris.

Damian McGrath said the next two weekends are all part of a much bigger picture.

"It's all building towards the 18th of June. The World Series legs that come up in Paris and London we'll put competitive teams out but it's all about preparing for what comes in June. We've only a small squad so we want to make sure we keep all our players fit and healthy. We've got to get over a fairly gruelling travel schedule, to go all the way to Europe with all that entails, in terms of the jet-lag, come all the way back to virtually turn around and do the same again so that's my biggest worry at the moment as opposed to the rugby side, which I'm pleased with the progress we're doing."

Samoa have been pooled together this weekend, for the fourth time in the past five World Series legs, and face Wales and Scotland respectively on day one.