Samoa back row suspended for England clash this Saturday - Women's Rugby World Cup

Thursday, 28 August 2025 at 11:05

byTom Sansom

Samoa will be without back-row Melina Salale when they take on England in the Rugby World Cup 2025, after the loose forward was handed a suspension following her red card against Australia.

Salale was sent off in Samoa’s Pool A match against the Wallaroos at Salford Community Stadium (23 August) for a dangerous tackle under Law 9.13. Following a disciplinary hearing, Salale has been suspended for three matches – a ban which can be reduced to two if she completes World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention programme.

That means she will miss Samoa’s showdown with the Red Roses and Samoa's final pool stage match against the United States. It's a huge blow to the Pacific Islanders as they prepare to face the world’s No.1 ranked side, whilst for England, the sanction removes a powerful ball-carrier from Samoa’s arsenal just a matter of days before their clash.

How the decision unfolded

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The Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) initially proposed a three-game ban (reducible to two with intervention).
Salale opted not to accept the sanction, taking the case to a full Disciplinary Committee hearing on 25 August.
Chaired by Philippe Cavalieros (France) alongside former England international Leon Lloyd and ex-referee Donal Courtney (Ireland), the committee upheld the red card after considering all evidence.
They ruled there was no mitigation that could downgrade the offence to a yellow card.

No way back

World Rugby confirmed that under the current disciplinary framework there is no right of appeal in this case, meaning Samoa must plan for England without one of their key forwards.