Rugby followers of Sale Sharks, Harlequins and Northampton Saints are in for a treat this August following today's announcement by Samoa Rugby Union that Manu Samoa will play these clubs as part of their pre-Rugby World Cup preparations. The "Synapse Manu Samoa Tour" is sponsored by UK company Synapse Medical Solutions and will include games against Harlequins on 17 August, Northampton Saints on 19 August and Sale Sharks on 24 August. Manu Samoa are in the same RWC group as England, South Africa, Tonga and the USA and have their eyes firmly set on progressing beyond the group stage.

Samoa RU Acting Chief Executive, Peter Schuster, said, "These games will be ideal preparation for Manu Samoa's World Cup campaign and will enable us to use the entire squad of players who will be involved in France".

Manu Samoa, coached by former All Black Michael Jones, will arrive in England on 12 August and will base their RWC training camp at Loughborough University prior to flying to France on 31 August. Peter Schuster said, "The facilities at Loughborough University are truly world class. We are delighted to be given the opportunity to access some of the best facilities in UK sport and to start what we hope will be a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Loughborough University"

Schuster continued, "The Manu Samoa squad of players is the strongest ever and our coach Michael Jones will ensure that our coaching and physical preparation is spot on. This will include taking advantage of the expertise on offer from the tour sponsors, Synapse, whose products and advice will be of great assistance to our medical and conditioning staff."

John Gildersleeve, Chief Executive of Synapse Medical Solutions, said, "We are tremendously excited by this tie-up with Manu Samoa.. We will be supplying the entire Samoan squad with the newest versions of our Repair, Recovery & Performance products which use our patented micro-current technology to accelerate healing, improve post exercise recovery and boost performance. Working with the Samoan backroom staff we hope our technology will be a significant contributor in their preparation for what we hope will be their best ever World Cup".