This archive report was first published on 26 September 2019.
On September 26, 2019, England made it two wins from two at the Rugby World Cup, defeating the United States 45-7 in Kobe. The match saw the Eagles receive the first red card of the tournament.
England's George Ford, Billy Vunipola, and Luke Cowan-Dickie scored tries in the first half, giving England a 19-0 lead at the break. Joe Cokanasiga secured the bonus point early in the second half, followed by tries from Ruaridh McConnochie and Lewis Ludlam.
USA flanker John Quill was sent off 10 minutes from time for an illegal shoulder charge on replacement back Owen Farrell. Cokanasiga scored his second try, and England's seventh, before Bryce Campbell ensured the USA avoided the embarrassment of being 'nilled' with a try after 80 minutes were up.
"Good win again. We had to work for it again. USA very physical, passionate team, so we had to earn that win. I thought we did that pretty well," said Ford.
England, the 2003 world champions, made 10 changes to the side that beat Tonga 35-3 in their Pool C opener in Sapporo last weekend. The match was played under the closed roof of the Kobe Misaki Stadium, where the Eagles suffered an early setback when 19-year-old prop David Ainu'u limped off injured in the third minute.
England's tries were scored through rolling mauls, with Vunipola and Cowan-Dickie driving over in the 25th and 33rd minutes, respectively. Ford converted both tries, but missed the conversion on Cokanasiga's try.
USA coach Gary Gold said his team needed to improve "every aspect" of their game, calling their performance "pretty awful".
