The Vault: England v USA
As England prepare to face the USA on Thursday, we look back at three previous clashes.
1999: ENG 106 - 8 USA
England scored 16 tries en route to a 106-8 rout of the USA at Twickenham in their final preparations ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
A first half penalty from scrum-half Kevin Dalzell and try from prop George Sucher were all the points the visitors would score, as Clive Woodward’s men notched up 31 points in the opening half, and 75 in the second.
Jeremy Guscott registered four tries with Matt Perry, Dan Luger and Neil Back all bagging braces. Matt Dawson, Phil de Glanville, Phil Greening, Richard Hill, Martin Johnson and a penalty try, as well as 13 Jonny Wilkinson conversions got England to triple digits.
2001: ENG 48 - 19 USA
England recorded a then record-breaking 11th consecutive Test victory after beating the USA 48-19 in San Francisco.
Despite a large contingent of regular starters being on British & Irish Lions duty in Australia, England made a rapid start to the Test, and found themselves 21-0 up inside 15 minutes thanks to the converted tries of Dorian West, Pat Sanderson and Josh Lewsey.
Eagles debutant Jone Naqica bagged one back for his team before Joe Worsley and Leon Lloyd struck to make it 33-5 at the break.
Lloyd got on the scoresheet again in the second half, and though the US reduced the deficit courtesy of Juan Grobler and a second Naqica try, Lewis Moody crossed to seal a comfortable victory at Boxer Stadium.
2007: ENG 28 -10 USA
England got their 2007 Rugby World Cup off to a solid start thanks to a 28-10 win over the USA at Stade Felix Bollaert in Lens.
Starting in place of the injured Jonny Wilkinson, fly-half Olly Barkley nudged Brian Ashton’s men into a 9-3 lead, with the Eagles’ points coming via the boot of former Sale Sharks man Mike Hercus.
Josh Lewsey injected excitement into what had been an uneventful first half through a meaningful break that would be the catalyst behind the opening try. Quick service to Mike Catt gave the experienced centre enough time to thread a cross-field kick into the path of Jason Robinson, who collected and duly touched down.
A second score before the break put England in a commanding position, and it was Lewsey again who instigated it through a powerful surge down the right flank. Quick ball from Shaun Perry went through the hands of Catt and Ben Kay, and a delayed delivery from the second-row saw Barkley go over to give England a 21-3 half-time lead.
Openside flanker Tom Rees grabbed England’s third and final try on the 48-minute mark, tapping from a penalty five metres out and powering over for his first Test points. USA replacement prop Matekitonga Moeakiola went over for much deserved score, but it would prove just a consolation.
Did you know? England played the USA in two World Cups before 2007. Winning 37-9 at Twickenham in 1991, and 34-6 at the 1987 edition in Sydney.
