Eagles grounded in England romp

RED CARD: MARCHING ORDERS FOR AMERICAN FLANKER

England made it two wins from two at the Rugby World Cup as they scored seven tries during a 45-7 rout of the United States in Kobe yesterday, with the Eagles receiving the first red card of the tournament.

First-half tries from stand-in captain George Ford, Billy Vunipola and Luke Cowan-Dickie gave England a 19-0 lead at the break before Joe Cokanasiga secured the bonus point early in the second half.

Ruaridh McConnochie and Lewis Ludlam then scored their first Test tries before Eagles flanker John Quill was sent off 10 minutes from time for an illegal shoulder charge on replacement back Owen Farrell.

There was still time for Cokanasiga to grab 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.

The Eagles suffered an early setback when, after the opening scrum, 19-year-old prop David Ainu’u limped off injured in the third minute.

And three minutes later England had their first try.

No 8 Vunipola ran the ball from deep before Ford, leading England in place of the benched Farrell, spotted a gap in the defence and ran in a try between the posts which he converted.

England, however, again conceded several early penalties before the forwards provided their second try.

Ford booted the ball deep for an attacking lineout.

The ensuing rolling maul saw Vunipola driven over in the 25th minute, with Ford converting.

The third try arrived in similar fashion eight minutes later, with hooker Cowan-Dickie scoring his second try in two matches.

Ford’s conversion hit the post but England still led 19-0.

A quickly taken line-out caught the Eagles napping and Ford found Cokanasiga, who went over.

Ford again missed the conversion, but England crossed the line again in the 58th minute when Joseph found McConnochie.

And against a tiring defence, Ludlam then joined McConnochie in scoring a maiden Test try in the 67th minute.

Australian referee Nic Berry, after consulting the TV match official, then dismissed Quill for a late hit on Farrell. –

Picture: AFP CAPTAIN’S RUN. England skipper George Ford snipes through to score a try against the United States during their World Cup Pool C match at the Kobe Misaki Stadium yesterday.