Andrew Trimble tells Irish to 'stop the rot' against Samoa

The Irish are seeking to avoid a seventh successive defeat, five of them Tests, when the big-hitting South Sea Islanders arrive in Dublin.

The four-match autumn schedule was launched with a disheartening 23-21 defeat by South Africa last weekend.

A similar outcome against a team ranked outside the top ten is unlikely - Ireland start as overwhelming favourites - even though Samoa's line-up contains nine European-based players.

The tourists comprise Ireland's weakest opposition this autumn and Trimble insists the losing sequence must end today with New Zealand due at Lansdowne Road seven days later.

"All Test matches are important, but it's particularly important for us to stop the rot tomorrow," he said yesterday. "We need to get things right, especially in preparation for the All Blacks. We're looking at the All Blacks game with half a mind on what happened when we lost to them during the summer tour.

"We must get things right against Samoa. If we get a performance the result will look after itself."

Only a rousing final-quarter fightback against South Africa prevented the Lansdowne Road homecoming from becoming a complete disaster. Even allowing for the late flurry of points, the near 16,000 fans who stayed away made the right decision and this week the Irish Rugby Football Union have tried to tempt supporters with offers of free train fares and subsidised bus travel.

Trimble, one of ten changes to the side beaten by the Springboks, admits it was a torrid evening but takes consolation from the sprit on show.

"We're trying to take as many positives out of the match as possible," said the 26-year-old.

"For 60 minutes it was a horrible night. There were mistakes and it was difficult to get into the game.

"I've never doubted the heart in the team and that last 15 minutes against South Africa confirmed it's there."