Matthew Elliott
Former Bradford Bulls head coach on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

I thought it was forward straight out of the hand. Particularly when you've got a wind behind you, it propels it.

For Samoa, it's the third or fourth time we've seen them do long passes. They don't need to. They need short passes.

Connie Boyd drops the ball as England try to carry the ball from deep. More attacking positions for Samoa.

They seem destined to score down the left, but captain Evania Isa'ako flings her pass forward.

Samoa wing Mercedez Taulelei-Siala makes a stunning catch from a long English kick, diving to take the ball on the full.

Samoan tails are up.

Matthew Elliott
Former Bradford Bulls head coach on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Not a great decision by Isa'ako to go down the short-side on play one when the team could have got field position. I couldn't see them scoring points.

After being put on the back foot early doors, Samoa have taken the initiative and lead in possession, metres gained and of course points.

England are undaunted however. Another Samoan attack is seen off as four English defenders swarm to push an attacker out of play.

Image source, Getty Images

Matthew Elliott
Former Bradford Bulls head coach on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

We talked about Samoa having to get momentum early in the set and they did there. The shift to the right was super slick. What about the finish? Incredible!

Jada Taylor
Cronulla Sharks full-back on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

England are looking really good. They started very fast. The last play probably doesn't show it but I like it when they're throwing the footy around and Fran Goldthorp isn't afraid to run it even on last tackle.

I still can't quite believe Destiny Mino-Sinapati didn't score there. It was the rugby league equivalent of an open goal handed to her by Fran Goldthorp, but she seemed to get ahead of herself and failed to ground the ball properly.

England must use that let-off to their advantage.

Matthew Elliott
Former Bradford Bulls head coach on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

You can see the ascendancy just slowly starting to turn Samoa's way.

England have seen off the danger for now, but Samoa are coming on the attack again.

But Anna Davies defends well, gathering a dangerous Samoan grubber kick to earn England possession.

Matthew Elliott
Former Bradford Bulls head coach on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

I can't see this being awarded but Samoa will get possession with good field position.

Ah. A mistake by England but a massive let-off.

Fran Goldthorp drops a routine catch from a deep Samoan kick, and she is swarmed.

Destiny Mino-Sinapati is handed the easiest chance to score - but drops the ball as she dives to ground.

Matthew Elliott
Former Bradford Bulls head coach on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

England have come out of the blocks. Look at their line speed. They're leading the collisions at the moment.

Georgia Roche hangs a kick high, Anna Davies nearly grabs it but knocks on under pressure.

Still, it is England making the early headway.

A good start from England - that kick-off was allowed to bounce deep in Samoan territory, and the English pressed them nice and high.

Good intent and early confidence from England.

Jada Taylor
Cronulla Sharks full-back on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

The challenge for England is Samoa can attack from anywhere in the park, their pack is huge and their outside backs are like lightning.

It's going to be a tough night for England. If they get anywhere near this Samoa team, it's going to have to be Georgia Roche who has a cracking game.

England were offside from the kick-off against Australia. Can they do better here?

They can, nice and long. Off we go.

Jada Taylor
Cronulla Sharks full-back on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

It's a beautiful atmosphere. It's windy down here so it looks like it is going to favour Samoa with the kicks going into this wind. Fran Goldthorp is going to have to take this into account.

Image source, EPA

Image source, Getty Images

The players are on the field in Wollongong, and the anthems have been sung.

It is a magnificent stadium, with one side of the ground an open grass bank with the sea right behind it. It's a beautiful view, but you could see from the national flags that the wind coming in from the beach is very strong.

What impact that has on the game remains to be seen.