SAMOA skipper Semo Sititi is hoping it's third-time lucky in France as he attempts to lead his country to the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time since 1995.

And if that wasn't incentive enough, the 33-year-old will be up against the two sides who eliminated them from the competition last time round.

Samoa have been drawn alongside their 2003 conquerors England and South Africa in Pool A, as well as fellow Pacific islanders Tonga and the United States, and the holders in particular will be aware of the danger the No8 can pose.

Despite the disappointment of falling at the first hurdle in Australia four years ago, that tournament, and more specifically the narrow defeat to England,was a personal triumph for Sititi.

He went over for a try in a 35-22 loss as Samoa gave the eventual winners a major scare, probably the biggest received en route to the final, leading for much of the game before England pulled away at the end to add an undeserved gloss.