Samoa name Nations Cup squad without McFarland as Umaga-Jensen earns first call-up

Samoa have named their 32-man squad for the Nations Cup in Chile, omitting captain Theo McFarland due to scheduling conflicts during the competition window. The Saracens back-row, who led the side in November, is unavailable according to the Samoa Observer, which cited unspecified engagements during the tournament period.

McFarland is not the only prominent Gallagher Premiership player missing from the selection. Exeter Chiefs loosehead Scott Sio, who made his Samoa debut last year, has also been left out. The 34-year-old former Australia international is set to leave Exeter at the end of the season to join Cardiff, as is McFarland from Saracens.

Harlequins tighthead Titi Lamositele is the only Premiership-based player in the squad. Jacob Umaga, the former England fly-half now at Benetton in the United Rugby Championship, is absent after receiving a four-match ban for a dangerous tackle on South Africa’s Makazole Mapimpi in Benetton’s penultimate match of the season against the Sharks.

Umaga’s cousin, former All Blacks centre Peter Umaga-Jensen, has been called up and is among six uncapped players in the 32-man group. Three players based in Samoa are also included: Warren Solomona of Falealili, Taunuu Niulevaea of Aana — both uncapped — and Elisapeta Alofipo of Faasaleleaga.

Samoa are scheduled to face Hong Kong China and Georgia in Chile in July before travelling to Uruguay to take on Romania. The squad is set to depart for Chile later this month.