Lima is a very experienced member of the Samoan team

Semo Sititi will skipper the side who have been drawn in Pool C with England, South Africa, Georgia and Uruguay.

Coach John Boe said picking the team had been difficult because the majority of players were scattered across the globe.

"The Manu Samoa squad would have to be the hardest team in the world to select," said Boe.

"The player base is spread throughout the world, which means that the players compete in competitions with diverse styles of play and at different levels."

The squad will not assemble until 25 September because the players have returned to clubs in New Zealand, Europe, Japan and Samoa.

Boe is disappointed at the lack of preparation time his side will have had ahead of their opening match on 15 October against Uruguay.

"We would dearly love to have a period of training prior to the RWC to facilitate the best possible build up for the players, but this is just not possible," he said.

Samoa squad:

Forwards: Jonathan Meredith (Ponsonby, NZ), Simon Lemalu (Otahuhu, NZ), Kas Lealamanua (Marist St Pat's, NZ), Jeremy Tomuli (Colomiers, France), Tamato Leupolu (Suburbs, NZ), Opeta Palepoi (Exeter, England), Michael von Dincklage (Waitemata, NZ), Leo Lafaiali'i (Sanyo, Japan), Kitiona Viliamu (Papakura, NZ), Siaosi Vaili (Ponsonby, NZ), Patrick Segi (Waitemata, NZ), Maurie Fa'asavalu (Marist St Joseph's, Samoa), Semo Sititi (Borders, Scotland).

Backs: Peter Poulos (no club), Steven So'oialo (Orrell, England), Denning Tyrell (Inglewood, NZ), John Senio (Waitemata, NZ), Tanner Vili (Borders, Scotland), Earl Va'a (Oriental-Rongotai, NZ), Lome Fa'atau (Marist St Pat's, NZ), Brian Lima (Secom, Japan), Dale Rasmussen (Ponsonby, NZ), Terry Fanolua (Gloucester, England), Romi Ropati (Toyota, Japan), Ron Fanutanu (Marist St Joseph's, Samoa), Dominic Feaunati (Marist St Pat's, NZ), Fa'atonu Fili (Marist St Pat's, NZ), Sailosi Tagicakibau (Papakura, NZ).