Good afternoon and welcome to
Sports Mole's coverage of Scotland vs. USA from Pool B of the
Rugby World Cup, live at Elland Road, where our man
Pascal Lemesre is keeping an eye on proceedings.
Pool B is wide open after Japan's defeat of South Africa, before the same side lost to Scotland in midweek. The Scots will expect victory over the USA today, and a win would send them to the top of the pool.
The atmosphere in Leeds is electric this afternoon.
This is the fifth meeting between Scotland and the USA, and the Scots have never been beaten in this fixture. Their last clash came in June 2014, when Scotland won 24-6 in Houston, Texas. Last time the two sides faced each other at the World Cup was in 2003, when Scotland won 39-15 in Brisbane.
Let's have a look at the two sides that will go head-to-head in just over 20 minutes.
SCOTLAND STARTING XV: Grant, Ford, Welsh, Gray, Gilchrist, Strokosch, Wilson, Strauss; Pyrgos, Russell, Visser, Horne, Bennett, Maitland, Hogg
SCOTLAND REPLACEMENTS: Bryce, Dickinson, Nel, Swinson, Brown, Laidlaw, Weir, Scott
USA STARTING XV: Fry, Thiel, Lamositele, Smith, Peterson, McFarland, Durutalo, Manoa; Petri, MacGinty, Scully, Palamo, Kelly, Ngwenya, Wyles
USA REPLACEMENTS: Fenoglio, Kilifi, Baumann, Dolan, Quill, Barrett, Suniula, Niua
Scotland coach
Vern Cotter has made 10 changes for today's match to keep the squad fresh, while USA make just one change, as Phil Thiel comes in for Zach Fenoglio at hooker.
Let's check in with our man Pascal for his take from Elland Road:
"This is a youthful, inexperienced Scotland outfit that has 76 fewer caps than their American counterparts. However, the likes of Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell are exciting talents that proved in the victory over Japan that they can cut it at World Cup level."
The sun is shining in Yorkshire this afternoon.
But it's always glorious in Leeds, right? Especially when the World Cup is in town.
Here's Pascal on the USA's chances:
"As for the States, if they are to stand any chance of beating the Scots for the first time they will have to improve their discipline. They conceded a whopping 15 penalties last week against Samoa and that was the main reason they fell to defeat in Brighton. There was a bright spark with Chris Wyles's try, though, if you haven't seen it yet, search and check it out. A cracker."
The USA are ranked 16th in the world, and actually slipped one place since their defeat last week. Their captain
Chris Wyles is a real talisman for the States. He will play in his ninth World Cup match today, and has scored 28 points for his country in this and past tournaments. His 217 test points are 10 more than the entire Scottish starting XV have mustered between them.
One man who caught the eye for the USA in their match against Samoa last week was Irish-born fly-half
AJ MacGinty, and if the States are to have any chance of winning today he will need to be at the top of his game.
Last word before kick off goes to Pascal:
"After playing their first match against Japan at the modest Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester, the blue of Scotland have flooded out Elland Road and far outnumber those who will be chanting 'USA! USA!'. Expecting a fantastic rendition of Flower of Scotland in a few minutes."
The anthems have been sung, the sun is shining, and kickoff is just moments away.
KICKOFF! USA get proceedings under way.
Fry wins the ball back immediately for the USA, and the Americans start the game on the front foot. Chants of "USA" ring around Elland Road, many of them sung in a fine Yorkshire accent.
PENALTY! Scotland 0-3 USA (AJ MacGinty)
The USA take the lead! MacGinty kicks a penalty from in front of the posts and Scotland are rocked early on.
The scene from Elland Road earlier on.
The USA have another penalty, and MacGinty kicks for touch, reaching the halfway line. USA lineout isn't straight though, and Scotland get it back.
Penalty for Scotland as the scrum is collapsed by the USA pack, and
Stuart Hogg has an opportunity to level the scores.
PENALTY! Scotland 3-3 USA (Stuart Hogg)
Hogg's kick is good, over the posts at the Don Revie stand.
USA lose another lineout, again the throw isn't straight from Thiel, and Scotland have a scrum in their opponents' half.
USA win the ball from the scrum, but then lost the ball. USA scrum looked good though, and they have another chance to impress now.
Here's Pascal Lemesre from Elland Road on the opening 10 minutes.Sublime kick there from Hogg, who got it straight and over with plenty of room to spare, even though it was just inside the States' half. USA have got to sort out that lineout and stop giving away the ball cheaply.
USA penalty as Pyrgos loses his footing at the ruck, and MacGinty finds touch at the Scottish 22.
USA get the lineout wrong yet again though, and Scotland are able to take control in their own half with a scrum.
USA lose the lineout as the throw is beyond the American line and Scotland collect. The Scots run in a few phases in the American half, putting pressure on USA for the first time.
Penalty for Scotland, as the USA defence is offside.
PENALTY! Scotland 6-3 USA (Finn Russell)
Russell takes over the kicking duty, and sends Scotland into the lead. The USA have been the masters of their own downfall so far, with some atrocious lineouts and poor discipline in the tackle.
On cue, USA win their first lineout. MacGinty tests Visser with a high punt, but the Scottish winger deals with the kick.
Stop in play as Hogg waits to take a penalty from halfway.
PENALTY MISSED! Hogg's long-range effort goes wide.
Scotland make some yards but give away a penalty for not releasing, and MacGinty kicks for the corner.
REPLACEMENT! Gilchrist goes off injured for Scotland, and is replaced by Swinson.
TRY! Scotland 6-8 USA (Titi Lamositele)
CONVERSION! Scotland 6-10 USA (AJ MacGinty)
The USA get the first try of the match through Lamositele, who is carried over the line by a powerful American pack. Good start for the USA.
Here's Pascal Lemesre with the latest from Elland Road after the USA's try.When they get the ball moving, this American team can be dangerous and you could see that there. Finally they get a lineout right and it results in a try for Lamositele, his first at a World Cup and just second ever for his country.
USA scrum in their own half is good, and Kelly does really well to break a tackle and make 30 metres, but Scotland win the ball back.
Should have been a try for Scotland! Hogg does really well to burst past the USA defence and find Visser clear on the left wing, but the winger couldn't catch the ball. Big chance missed!
The two packs get a telling off from the referee for their scrummages, as the USA struggle to get their head and feed completed. USA win a penalty, and MacGinty hoists it down field, before the ball is returned to the American half and the USA run in some phases.
Here's Pascal Lemesre at Elland Road with his take on Scotland's missed chance.Deary me. That was right in front of us. All Hogg had to do was put it between hip and shoulder height and that was a try for Visser. A really poor error dragging it down to knee height to make it extremely difficult for the winger.
Good tackle from Seamus Kelly, who stops a swiftly advancing Scotland attack.
Good hands from Scotland's backs allow Bennett to break, but the USA recover and stop the attack. Scotland win a penalty as the USA enter the tackle offside, and the side have a chance to cut the deficit to one point.
PENALTY MISSED! Russell misses another penalty attempt for Scotland, and this one wasn't as difficult as the last. Interesting rotation policy that Scotland are using for the kickers, and so far it isn't working.
Big hit by Ngwenya! USA are not afraid to put in some strong tackles this afternoon.
MacGinty tackled by Welsh - it looked a bit high, but the referee is happy to play on and consult the TMO later. USA territory comes to nothing though, as Scotland win the ball back, only for a knock on to halt their progress.
The TMO is happy with the tackle.
USA with some up-the-jumper rugby in the Scottish half as the clock ticks down to half time. The Americans run in 10 phases and counting.
The USA keep on going with another nine phases, edging closer to the tryline, before Scotland give a penalty away right in front of the posts.
PENALTY! Scotland 6-13 USA (AJ MacGinty)
HALF TIME! Scotland 6-13 USA
Well, this isn't going to plan for Scotland. The USA are good value for their 13-6 lead, having played some effective rugby, and taken advantage of some poor Scottish discipline. All to play for in the second half.
USA have had more territorial advantage than Scotland (60%) and more possession (56%). They have also made 270 metres to Scotland's 199, while MacGinty has impressed with the boot, kicking 256 metres with 16 attempts from hand.
Both sides have given away five penalties, but Scotland have missed two kick attempts that would have seen them trail by just one point at the break. Plenty of work for Vern Cotter's side to do.
Find out how the first half unfolded with Pascal Lemesre's half time report from Elland Road
here.
Here's the latest from our man in Leeds, Pascal Lemesre:
"Well, well, well. The Eagles lead a tier 1 team after 40 minutes for the first time ever and you have to say that they deserve it. They took their chance when near the tryline, while Hogg made a real mess of the only genuine chance that the dark blues had of a try. Cotter will no doubt have plenty to say to his players in the dressing room."
Just a few moments until the action returns at Elland Road. Can Scotland turn it around in the second half, or will the USA record a famous victory in the Leeds sunshine this afternoon?
The teams are out, and the restart is seconds away.
KICKOFF! Scotland get proceedings under way.
MacGinty returns the kickoff with a punt up field, and Scotland have an early lineout.
TRY! Scotland 11-13 USA (Tim Visser)
Fantastic start to the half for Scotland, as the ball is sent out wide by Hogg, before Visser is put in clear on the wing.
CONVERSION MISSED! Russell misses the kick from the touchline.
REPLACEMENTS! Couple of changes at the break for Scotland, as Dickinson replaces Grant, and Nel replaces Welsh.
Pascal Lemesre at Elland Road on Scotland's start to the second half.Just what Scotland needed at the start of the second 40 after a flat first half. USA coach Tolkin will be livid at how easy that was. Game on!
REPLACEMENT! Dolan replaces Smith for USA.
Scully breaks for the USA but the referee calls it back for a late tackle by Kelly. Scotland saved by the ref's call there.
TRY! Scotland 16-13 USA (Sean Maitland)
Scotland play a few simple drives as they edge nearer to the tryline, before Russell offloads to Maitland for the try in front of the posts.
CONVERSION! Scotland 18-13 USA (Finn Russell)
USA move into the Scottish half, before MacGinley tests Scotland with a kick.
REPLACEMENT! Brown replaces Wilson for Scotland.
Scotland have completely turned this game around in just 10 minutes. Can the USA find a way to get back in the lead?
PENALTY! Scotland 18-16 USA (AJ MacGinty)
Right on cue, MacGinty from in front of the posts after Scotland give away a penalty.
Chargedown by Swinson and the forward looked to be heading for a try, but Manoa produced a superb tackle, before the USA defence sent Strauss into touch.
REPLACEMENTS! USA bring on Barrett and Suniula for Peterson and Petri.
TRY! Scotland 23-16 USA (Willem Nel)
CONVERSION! Scotland 25-16 USA (Greig Laidlaw)
Scotland add another try as Nel is carried over the line by the pack. Laidlaw adds the extras from in front of the posts.
REPLACEMENT! Laidlaw had just come onto the field, replacing Pyrgos.
REPLACEMENT! Scott replaces Horne for Scotland.
Scotland penalty, and a lineout follows at the 22 metre line in the USA half.
Scotland run in a few phases near the 10 metre line, keeping the pressure on the USA defence, but they lose the ball and MacGinty hoists it to touch.
Finn Russell down receiving treatment after a big hit from Manoa, while play goes ahead with a Scottish lineout. Fry gives away a penalty, and Laidlaw kicks for the corner.
REPLACEMENTS! More changes as Scully and Durutalo come off for the USA, and Niua and Quill come on.
REPLACEMENT! Russell is carried off and replaced by Weir.
Scottish pressure on the USA defence, but Hogg fires a looping pass at Maitland and the winger is unable to control it.
USA lose a fifth lineout, before Scotland get a penalty. Laidlaw kicks for touch.
Here's the latest from Pascal Lemesre at Elland Road.Into the final 20 minutes and Scotland will be desperate for that fourth try to secure a bonus point. At the moment, it feels much more like when than if. Unfortunately for USA, it looks like that first half completely took it out of them.
TRY! Scotland 30-16 USA (Matt Scott)
Scotland get the bonus point as Scott finds the gap in the USA defence before finding the tryline. Kick to come.
CONVERSION! Scotland 32-16 USA (Greig Laidlaw)
REPLACEMENT! Fenoglio replaces Thiel at hooker for the USA.
REPLACEMENTS! More USA subs as Kilifi replaces Fry and Baumann replaces Lamositele.
Penalty USA after a period of territory, and MacGinty kicks for the corner. The USA win the lineout, and the rolling maul follows.
Maul doesn't reach the tryline, then Kilifi's drive is held up, and the USA cannot recycle possession. Scotland scrum.
Hogg clears, and the USA have a lineout in the Scottish half.
The maul follows and pushes the USA to the 22, before the ball breaks and is switched to the left. Kilifi drives at the tryline but knocks on, and you feel that the match has slipped away from the Americans now.
Here's the latest from Pascal Lemesre in Leeds.It's Mexican Wave time at Elland Road, with the Scottish support in much better voice after a vastly-improved second-half display. The Scots are going top of the group with 10 points out of 10 ahead of the crunch match with South Africa in Newcastle in six days.
USA with a spell of territory in the Scottish half, but Fenoglio drops the ball.
Penalty Scotland after a high tackle, and Laidlaw finds touch. Lineout to come.
TRY! Scotland 37-16 USA (Duncan Weir)
A rolling maul follows the lineout, before Scotland recycle possession for a few phases. Laidlaw finds Scott, who is brought down just before the line, before Weir scores the try.
CONVERSION! Scotland 39-16 USA (Greig Laidlaw)
FULL TIME! Scotland 39-16 USA
They suffered a scare in the first 40, but Scotland were mightily impressive in the second half, running out 39-16 winners this afternoon.
Find out how the game unfolded with Pascal Lemesre's match report from Elland Road
here.
The final word goes to Pascal in Leeds:
"It's the second match in a row that Scotland have scored 33 points in the second half and perhaps that shows how the youth in this team can outlast others. Plenty to work on, but Scotland can't really complain with a maximum 10 points. Keep an eye out for plenty of reaction from Elland Road a little later."
That wraps up our live coverage from Elland Road today, thanks for your company! Stick with Sports Mole for reaction and more from the Rugby World Cup.
