Sport | England come from behind to beat inspired Samoa

England scrumhalf Danny Care

• England were forced to dig deep, coming from behind to beat Samoa 18-17 in Lille.
• England were trailing 17-11 when replacement scrumhalf Danny Care nipped through for a try eight minutes from time.
• England finish top of Pool D at the Rugby World Cup.
• For more rugby news, please visit News24’s Rugby World Cup zone. 

England captain Owen Farrell said his were “scrappy” as they came back to edge Samoa 18-17 in the Rugby World Cup on Saturday after trailing by nine points with half an hour to play.

The 2003 winners were already guaranteed top spot in Pool D before kick-off and needed Danny Care’s late try to beat the Pacific Islanders, who were already knocked out.

Farrell kicked two penalties and a conversion in Lille as he broke Jonny Wilkinson’s points record for the country before next Sunday’s quarter-final with, in all likelihood, Fiji.

“It was scrappy, it did not feel like the best from us,” Farrell told ITV.

“All credit to Samoa and how they came out and got at us, it was tough to deal with at times and we did not deal with it discipline-wise and with mistakes.”

After defeats by Japan and Argentina, it marked the end of a disappointing World Cup for the Samoans, although they more than showed their potential in this final pool match.

“I’m incredibly proud of the boys just a little bit disappointed and just gutted for Samoa and all our fans and supporters,” said flyhalf Lima Sopoaga.

England head coach Steve Borthwick started Farrell at centre outside flyhalf George Ford as he looked to add some creativity to his side’s play after winning their opening thr