RFU to assist Samoan financial crisis

Cape Town - The Rugby Football Union (RFU) will compensate Samoa following reports of financial difficulties for the Samoan Rugby Union, it's been confirmed.

England will host the Pacific Islanders at Twickenham on November 25 in their third Test of the autumn international series and according to Sky Sports News, the RFU will help Samoa financially.

The Samoan press has quoted the Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi as saying that the Samoa Rugby Union is in a dire financial situation.

Tuilaepa, who is also chairperson of the SRU, told the Samoa Observer: "We are bankrupt. In other words, we are insolvent.

"It means the union cannot continue to pay off our debts with the banks. We also need money to pay the players so they can continue to play."

The RFU also lent a helping hand to Fiji when they toured the UK last year. They donated £75 000 to them and they are expected to offer a similar figure this year.

Samoa are set to play Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 16:30 SA time.