Australia come into the tournament ranked sixth in the world and with plenty of sevens talent at their disposal. They have arrived in the north of England on the back of a 36-5 win over Wales - though that came a week after a loss to the same opposition a week before.
Samoa, meanwhile, are ranked 15th in the world and will have their work cut out against the women from Down Under, but have plenty of talent and experience to lean on this weekend.
Kick-off: 12:00 BST, Saturday, 23 August
Venue: Salford Community Stadium, Manchester
From where to go before kick-off, to must-visit local attractions, check out Harriet Millar-Mills' Rugby World Cup 2025 Guide to Manchester.
How to watch: Grab some of the few remaining tickets here.
Or check out our global guide to the TV options in your region.
Australia team
Australia key player: Winger Desiree Miller (pictured) is Australia's speedster on the touchline hoping to add to her Test try tally on Saturday, having scored an impressive four against Fiji in last month's warm-up match.
Samoa team
Samoa key player: Flanker Sui Tauaua-Pauaraisa is the woman who will captain Samoa from the side of the scrum. She led Manusina to their first ever Oceania title in 2023, and will be integral to her side's hopes - but first she will have to win her individual battle against opposite number Emily Chancellor, who co-captains the Wallaroos in Manchester.
What they said
Australia co-captain, Kaitlan Leaney:
“Yeah, pretty cool [to be named captain]. I found out yesterday on our day off, so Jo [Yapp, head coach] just gave me a quick call, said that she'd spoken to Chance [Emily Chancellor] and thought that it would be a good opportunity for me to learn off her and have this co-captaincy.
“I actually had a missed call from her and then I had a text when I was out for coffee with a friend, and I was like, 'oh, crap, what's this about? Better give her a call back!'
“I don't think anything really changes in terms of the way I lead. I lead by my action, so looking to do the same this weekend.
“It's crazy. I was reflecting on this the other day that this experience alone is a lot different to my first World Cup. I didn't play a game, now having the captaincy next to my name, it's something I don't take for granted."
Australia centre Cecilia Smith:
“It was pretty emotional when I saw my name starting at 12. It's a big deal at a World Cup. I'm really nervous, but it's pretty cool.
“I told my dad straight away, and I told my best friends at home, so, they're really excited. I'm Samoan so to be able to play against Samoan sisters makes it extra special.
“It's been emotional. I'm always away, I leave my daughter behind back home, she stays with my mum, but obviously it's all for her and she's why I push for everything I do when I'm away.
“Because of her, I don't want to take anything for granted and waste the time that I am away. I know she's really proud of me and I want to be that role model for her, especially when she's growing up. When I go back home, she shows off and goes around telling her friends that her mum plays rugby for Australia. It's pretty funny.”
Samoa head coach, Mataafa Ramsey Tomokino:
"We knew this was going to be a really tough pool. When I was interviewed at the draw and asked 'who do you want in the pool?' I said 'we were happy with anyone but England, right?' And we get drawn with England. Then someone asked me the next day, 'what does that mean?' I said, 'because we're obviously a spiritual country, obviously God wants us to do amazing things on the world scene'.
"We've got Australia first up, and we've certainly got a plan around how we want to play that. No team comes to a Rugby World Cup to lose a game. Obviously we're targeting to win against Australia. I do believe it's possible. It could be a pool where, obviously England are clear favourites, but it could be a pool where second, third and fourth are decided on a win and loss each, possibly."
Samoa captain, Sui Pauaraisa:
"There's only two of us that's been in every campaign since 2018. Our goal was to make the World Cup and just being here, sometimes I sit and reflect on how we started. It's been a struggle. Our first campaign in 2018, we met three days before the first game and we didn't know each other. The New Zealand-based girls, we met in Auckland but we didn't know any of the Aussie girls and girls from Samoa travelled over.
"But now it's getting better for us for our Manusina girls. We're not contracted players, but we sacrifice so much just for our country and for our people. Making it here this far is a dream come true for myself, and the girls. We've got a lot of new girls coming in the mix and just thinking about, the older players that are not here, we're still representing them, taking them with us to this weekend.
"I still can't believe we're here. We're here to represent not only us but Samoa. I'm just very grateful and blessed to be here. God has been the centre of everything that we have done and I believe that that's why we're here. God's timing is perfect timing."
