Manu Samoa are the first side to announce their squad ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup.

After losing to Fiji 39-29 in the final of the Pacific Nations Cup earlier this month, head coach Stephen Betham turned his attention to the World Cup, where Samoa will face South Africa, Japan, Scotland and the USA in pool B.

“Of course we are disappointed we didn’t get the result we wanted but if we consider the bigger picture, we know the task was to test our depth and to give players an opportunity to rise to the occasion,” he said.

The squad features all three Pisi brothers – Tusiata, Ken and George, as well as three locally Samoan based players in prop Jake Grey, scrum-half Vavao Afemai and goal-kicking fly-half Patrick Faapale

“I am particularly pleased for the locally based players as this selection rewards their hard work, determination and focus,” the coach said.

The squad will assemble in Samoa next week before flying out to the UK, where they will play matches against the Barbarians and Wasps prior to the World Cup kicking off.

Samoa World Cup squad:

Forwards: Ole Avei (Bordeaux Begles), Manu Leiataua (Aurillac), Motu Matu’u (Wellington Hurricanes), Viliamu Afatia (Agen), Jake Grey (Samoa Scopa), Logovi’i Mulipola (Leicester Tigers), Anthony Perenise (Bristol), Sakaria Taulafo (Stade Français), Fa’atiga Lemalu (Bourgoin), Filo Paulo (Benetton Treviso), Joe Tekori (Toulouse), Kane Thompson (Newcastle Falcons), Maurie Fa’asavalu (Oyonnax), Alafoti Faosiliva (Bath), Jack Lam (Bristol), Ofisa Treviranus (capt, London Irish), TJ Ioane (Sale Sharks), Sanele Vavae Tuilagi (Carcassonne).

Backs: Vavao Afemai (Samoa Vaiala), Kahn Fotuali’i (Northampton Saints), Patrick Fa’apale (Samoa Vaiala), Tusi Pisi (Suntory Sungoliath), Michael Stanley (unattached), Rey Lee-Lo (Cardiff Blues), Johnny Leota (Sale Sharks), Paul Perez (Coastal Sharks), George Pisi (Northampton Saints), Fa’atoina Autagavaia (Nevers), Ken Pisi (Northampton Saints), Alesana Tuilagi (Newcastle Falcons), Tim Nanai-Williams (Ricoh Black Rams).