Samoa's Ben Lam handed three-game ban

Samoa wing Ben Lam will miss the upcoming Rugby World Cup game against England to be played at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Saturday following his three-game suspension.

Lam was sin-binned early in the second half after his shoulder made contact with the head of Pieter Labuschagne during their previous game against Japan on Friday in Toulouse.

However, his sanction was later upgraded to red card following a review system leaving Samoa a player down for the final 38 minutes of the game as they went on to lose the encounter to the Brave Blossoms with a six point margin.

The 32-year-old appeared before an independent judicial committee and pleaded guilty to the charges. He was initially handed a six-week ban that was reduced by half taking into account his previous disciplinary record, conduct during hearing and other mitigating factors.

He will now miss the upcoming World Cup game against England and two games for his club Montpellier which could be reduced by one if he successfully completes the Coaching Intervention Programme.

Samoa are positioned fourth in the Pool D table with a solitary win from three games.