2019 Rugby World Cup: England 45-7 USA

Head-to-head

Played – 6

England wins – 6

USA wins – 0

Did You Know?

• Dan Cole and Ben Youngs have drawn level with Jonny Wilkinson – who is third in England’s all-time caps’ list – by making their 91^st Test appearances against USA.

Related: Rugby World Cup Fixtures

Raise the roof: England rise for a lineout at Kobe Misaki Stadium (Getty Images)

In a nutshell

England ran in seven tries and could have had more in a one-sided victory over the USA, who defended resolutely but offered little in attack – and had a player red-carded.

Openside John Quill was sent off in the 70^th minute for a head-high shoulder hit on Owen Farrell. There have been plenty of dangerous tackles in this World Cup, but this is the first time a red card has been brandished – and it was undoubtedly the correct decision.

Related: World Rugby criticises World Cup refereeing

As for England, George Ford got the early try, scything under the posts after just six minutes and converting his score, but it was when his side got their driving maul in gear that they really started motoring.

USA scrambled well in open play and put in some powerful hits in defence that seemed to knock their opponents out of their rhythm and force a few errors, but they had no answer to England’s maul in the second quarter.

Billy Vunipola was the first to benefit, England driving forward fast from a five-metre lineout and the No 8 touching down in the 25^th minute.

Then Luke Cowan-Dickie followed suit within ten minutes as England set their maul again on the opposite side of the pitch. This one was from further out, but delivered the same result when a group splintered from the front and the hooker grounded.

Stop sign: Joe Launchbury of England is tackled by John Quill and Titi Lamositele (Getty Images)

In the second half, it was in the wide channels where England got the most reward, with both Joe Cokanasiga and Ruaridh McConnochie crossing on the right to ensure England left Kobe with a try bonus point.

In the final quarter, a neat jinking run from George Ford set up Lewis Ludlam for a try and Cokanasiga got a second after an initial charge from Ellis Genge.

The USA did cross the whitewash with the final play, Bryce Campbell going under the posts as the game broke up in the closing moments, and it was a sign of their determination to do so without the red-carded Quill and Will Hooley, who was taken off on a stretcher late on.

England will be disappointed with their error count again, but their biggest worry will be whether Piers Francis is cited for this tackle on Hooley from the kick-off…

Star man

Jonathan Joseph looked sharp with ball in hand, demonstrating why he is such a dangerous runner, George Ford led the attack well and Tom Curry gave a typically all-action display, but Lewis Ludlam gets the nod from us.

Not only did he add his power to England’s maul but he made ground with individual carries in midfield (he was the game’s top carrier with 14), was a nuisance at the breakdown to win penalties, tackled hard (he was England’s top tackler with seven) and rounded off his performance with a try.

Related: Rugby World Cup TV Coverage

The reaction

England coach Eddie Jones: “I’m pleased with where we are; after two games we’ve got ten points and conceded one try. Can we play better? Yes. And we’ll need to play better in the next game (against Argentina).”

USA coach Gary Gold: “We have a fantastic group of guys wh0 want to work hard, but we were taught a lesson today. We lost every single aspect; we lost the collisions, the set-piece, defensively and most importantly we lost the kicking game.

“With regards Quilly (red card), I’m not sure it can be made any clearer. You’re not allowed to make contact with the head and you have to use your arms. He didn’t do either and we’ll have to face the consequences.”

The Teams

England: Elliot Daly; Ruaridh McConnochie (Anthony Watson 60), Jonathan Joseph, Piers Francis (Owen Farrell 49), Joe Cokanasiga; George Ford (captain), Willi Heinz (Ben Youngs 49); Joe Marler (Ellis Genge ht), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Jack Singleton 69), Dan Cole (Kyle Sinckler ht), Joe Launchbury (Courtney Lawes  49), George Kruis, Tom Curry, Lewis Ludlam, Billy Vunipola (Mark Wilson ht).

Tries: Ford 6, Vunipola 25, Cowan-Dickie 33, Cokanasiga 48, 76, McConnochie 58, Ludlam 67. Cons: Ford 5.

USA: Will Hooley (Mike Te’o 43-53); Blaine Scully (captain), Marcel Brache, Paul Lasike (Bryce Campbell 60), Martin Iosefo (Mike Te’o 63); AJ MacGinty, Shaun Davies (Ruben de Haas 50); David Ainuu (Olive Kilifi 3), Joe Taufete’e (Dylan Fawsitt 60), Titi Lamositele (Paul Mullen 43), Ben Landry, Nick Civetta (Greg Peterson 50), Tony Lamborn Hanco Germishuys 60), John Quill, Cam Dolan.

Try: Campbell 80. Con: MacGinty.

Red Card: John Quill (70min).

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