Kyle Sinckler has warned England to beware Samoa's ability to jump from your best friends to your worst enemies ahead of Saturday's World Cup clash in Lille.
England will complete their Pool D campaign this weekend, with Wales or Fiji their likely quarter-final opponents.
Sinckler grew up in London and at Harlequins, before making a big club and life switch to join Bristol in 2020.
Samoa stars Chris Vui and Steven Luatua were instrumental in helping Sinckler settle into life at the West Country club — only two hours, but a million miles away from Harlequins and the capital.
Sinckler, then, will go up against two of his best mates on Saturday, and has admitted the Pacific Islanders will leave all personal connections on the safe side of the pitch's white lines. "Don't be fooled by their nice and chilled-out demeanour, they can definitely flick the switch," said Sinckler.
"When it's time to go, those guys can really go. It's going to be a big test against a hugely physical Samoa side.
"Even though Bristol was only two hours' travel, at that time in my life it was a huge move for me. All I'd known growing up was Harlequins and living in London or Surrey, where the training ground was. To move to Bristol was huge.
"But those guys, Chris and Steve, really made me feel welcome. And they showed me what it's like to play for Bristol, because it's a real community feel. I couldn't speak more highly of Steve and Chris. They are really, really stand-up guys who have always really made me feel welcome.
"Obviously I'm biased, but for me rugby's the best game in the world. For 80 minutes you're going to batter each other, then afterwards you shake hands and it's like nothing ever happened.
"Steve and Chris, they are pretty chilled out, they don't say too much, they lead by example. They are two massively physical players and both are great lineout options. Great hands, good offloading skills, but they honestly couldn't be any more different from how they are off the field, literally the most chilled out personalities you'll ever meet."
Luatua won 15 caps for New Zealand between 2013 and 2016 before switching allegiance on heritage grounds to Samoa.
And Sinckler hailed the impact of the new heritage rule that allows players to declare for a different country of origin after a three-year stand-down.
"I know it means a huge amount to Steve to play for Samoa," said Sinckler. "Charles Piutau was at Bristol too, and he made the decision to play for Tonga. It is more about giving back to the community where they are from. It's nothing but good for rugby."
