England have defeated the USA 45-7 in their second Rugby World Cup game in Pool C in Japan, to make it two wins from two at the tournament.
The US couldn’t cope with the English as tries from George Ford, Billy Vunipola, Luke Cowan-Dickie, a Joe Cokanasiga brace, Ruaridh McConnochie and Lewis Ludlam saw them claim another bonus-point win.
There was a messy start to the game and it was England who got the first score of the match after some poor defensive work by the Eagles.
After breaking into the US 22 England sent the ball to captain Ford from a ruck and he waltzed between two USA players to score under the posts. He converted his own try to make it 7-0 after seven minutes.
The messy opening to the match continued with handling errors and penalties slowing up the game and it took until the 25th minute for the next score, with England driving over from a line-out maul through Vunipola. Ford knocked over the kick from the left of the posts to stretch the lead.
England’s power began to tell and they were over through another maul on 32 minutes, with try-scoring machine Cowan-Dickie on the end of the score. Ford couldn’t provide the extras but they went in 19-0 up at half-time.
In the second-half England’s dominance was rewarded with a bonus-point try coming 10 minutes in.
Some fantastic footwork from Jonathan Joseph got them right up to the line before Ford acted as scrum-half, spinning the ball out to Cokanasiga who barrelled over from close-range. Again Ford failed to convert the kick leaving it at 24-0.
On 59 minutes it was try number five, as the USA continued to crumble at scrum-time England took full advantage as they won a couple of penalties before sending the ball to the backs and again Joseph provided another assist to McConnochie this time. Ford was perfect with the boot this time around, pushing England 31-0 ahead going into the final quarter.
Seven minutes later and Ludlam added to the scoreline after some good work from Ford, who offloaded to the back-rower down the left, where there were no defenders as he jogged over for his first international try. Ford provided the extras once more.
Things got worse for the Eagles with only 10 minutes remaining as flanker John Quill was sent off for shoulder tackle on Owen Farrell after the referee’s whistle was blown.
Ellis Genge made a darting run from his own half with only four minutes left before being taken down just outside the 22, however Ford played scrum-half once more as the ball found its way to Cokanasiga who run over for his second try of the game. Ford converted to make it 45-0.
Despite being down to 14 it was the USA who had the last laugh as Bryce Campbell got over after some scrappy play in the English 22. MacGinty slotted over the conversion to leave the final score at 45-7.
England will face much tougher opposition when they take on Argentina on Saturday October 5th where they will look to continue their winning ways, while the USA will have to dust themselves down before coming up against France next Wednesday.
England Player Ratings:
Starting XV:
Elliot Daly (7), Ruaridh McConnochie (7), Jonathan Joseph (8), Piers Francis (6), Joe Cokanasiga (8), George Ford (9), Willi Heinz (7), Billy Vunipola (8), Lewis Ludlam (8), Tom Curry (7), George Kruis (7), Joe Launchbury (7), Dan Cole (7), Luke Cowan-Dickie (7), Joe Marler (7)
Replacements (7)
