Scotland coach Jim Telfer expects his side to have their bravery and strength put to the test when they face ultra-physical Samoa this afternoon.

Samoa sealed their place in the play-offs with a superb 38-31 victory over host nation Wales at the Millennium Stadium and Telfer knows his players will need to be on guard if they are to avoid suffering a similar fate. "Samoa have some very talented individuals," he said. "They like to keep the ball moving and are very skilful. Defensively they like making big hits and they are very comfortable on the ball."

Samoa's ranks include experienced players like former All Blacks Stephen Bachop and Va'aiga Tuigamala and talented Pat Lam. Tuigamala, who plays for Newcastle, could well find himself up against club-mates Gary Armstrong, George Graham and Doddie Weir.

"Bachop has been outstanding so far," added Telfer. "He has been as good as anyone and has directed play superbly. With players like Tuigamala and Lam as well, they will be tough. Things trigger off these players."

Samoan skipper Lam says it doesn't worry him to be singled out as a danger-man. "If the opposition highlights me as a main threat, then good," he said. "There are 14 other guys out there who can do quite a bit of damage as well. I have a responsibility to call the right shots but I am not the difference between the team playing well or badly."

Having made the last eight on their previous two World Cup appearances, Samoa are anxious not to fall short of that target this year. But Lam knows his team are facing opponents who are not likely to shirk the challenge presented before them.

"If there is any team which stands up to us, it is Scotland," he said. "When we played them in 1991, Gavin Hastings came charging through off the first ruck as if to say, `we are coming'. That is typical of the Scottish approach and I can't believe it will be any different this time."

Samoa have been robbed by injury of three key players: flanker Junior Paramore, wing Afato So'oala and prop Kepi Faiva'ai will take no further part in the tournament.

Telfer prefers Jamie Mayer to the experienced Alan Tait in the centre and in another shock move, veteran Doddie Weir has been included in the second row at the expense of Stuart Grimes, who is named alongside Tait among the replacements.

The Scottish side is otherwise as expected with Gregor Townsend restored to his favoured position at out-half after being rested for the Group A match against Spain last weekend.

Tait, however, wasn't pleased at being left out of the side. The 35-year-old Kelso and Edinburgh Reivers player said: "I thought I did well in the game against South Africa, particularly as I was carrying an ankle injury.

Tait, who has scored 17 tries in 26 Tests for Scotland, added: I'm retiring from international rugby after the World Cup so every game could be my last."