THE ELLAND ROAD LOWDOWN

273

The number of caps the Scotland starting XV has won between them, the least experienced Scotland line-up in a Rugby World Cup match since they lost 46-29 to South Africa in October 1999.

1

Scotland captain Henry Pyrgos (right) and winger Tim Visser will be playing their first ever game in the World Cup.

65-23

The score when Scotland defeated the Eagles at San Francisco’s Boxer Stadium on 22 June, 2002. Nathan Hines was shown the red card for knocking Eagles substitute Dan Anderson unconscious with a punch. It was the first time a Scottish player had been sent off in an international test match. Hines is now assistant head coach of Scotland.

The first game between Scotland and the USA was played at Murrayfield on 4 November 2000. Scotland won by a 47-point margin, beating the visitors 53-6. Grant Wells kicked the only points for the Eagles, while fly-half Gregor Townsend racked up 33 points, the second best by a Scottish player in the professional era.

5

This will be the fifth meeting between these countries. Scotland have a 100 per cent record in previous fixtures between the sides, scoring 181 points to the USA’s 50.

Their most recent meeting took place on 7 June 2014 at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas, where Scotland won 24-6. Stuart Hogg and Tim Visser scored for Scotland, who were also awarded a penalty try, and Greig Laidlaw kicked nine points. Chris Wyles kicked six points for the hosts.