England prove too strong for USA

By Mark Stevens
26/9/19

Eddie Jones' England side maintained their perfect start to this year's Rugby World Cup with a seven-try 45-7 demolition of the USA in Kobe.

Saracens No.8 Billy Vunipola and Exeter Chiefs hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie scored first-half tries from driving mauls after skipper George Ford went under the posts after six minutes.

Four more in the second half - two from Bath's Joe Cokanasiga, one apiece from latecomers Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath) and Lewis Ludlum (Northampton Saints) - were a fitting reward for a much-improved performance.

In a World Cup becoming defined by safe tackling technique, US flanker John Quill was sent off for a horrible shoulder charge on replacement Owen Farrell, the England talisman lucky not to suffer serious injury.

The same could not be said for the USA's former Exeter Chief Will Hooley, who was stretchered off in the closing minutes following a heavy collision.

Tougher tests lie ahead in the shape of Argentina and France, but England will travel to Tokyo this weekend in much improved mood.