Scotland beat back American blitz to go top

Leeds - Scotland shook off the effects of an American blitz to run in five second-half tries and beat the USA 39-16 at Elland Road on Sunday.

The bonus-point win sees the Scots sitting pretty with 10 points at the top of Pool B despite making 10 changes to the starting XV that beat Japan, and losing flanker John Hardie to a head injury on the eve of the match.

The USA had led 13-6 after a first half that was marked by heavy hits from the Americans and some sloppy play by the Scots with ball in hand.

But Scotland wing Tim Visser got the scoring under way early in the second, as he became the first professional Dutch-born player to feature in a Rugby World Cup match.

Scotland lead South Africa by three points ahead of their showdown on Saturday, while USA’s hopes of automatic qualification for Japan 2019 look buried as they sit last, four points behind Japan and Samoa.