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Live Commentary: Scotland 39-16 USA - as it happened

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Scotland 39-16 USA - as it happened
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Scotland recovered from a first-half scare to defeat USA 39-16 in their Rugby World Cup Pool B fixture this afternoon.

Prop Titi Lamositele scored the only try of the opening 40 minutes as the USA raced to a shock 13-6 lead ahead of the break.

Scotland completely dominated the second half though, as Vern Cotter's side ran in five tries on their way to victory, with the win moving the Thistle above South Africa in the pool.

Find out how all the action unfolded at Elland Road with Sports Mole's full text commentary.

4.22pmThat 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.

4.20pmThe 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."

4.20pmFind out how the game unfolded with Pascal Lemesre's match report from Elland Road here.

4.17pmThey suffered a scare in the first 40, but Scotland were mightily impressive in the second half, running out 39-16 winners this afternoon.

4.17pmFULL TIME! Scotland 39-16 USA

80 minCONVERSION! Scotland 39-16 USA (Greig Laidlaw)

80 minA 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.

79 minTRY! Scotland 37-16 USA (Duncan Weir)

78 minPenalty Scotland after a high tackle, and Laidlaw finds touch. Lineout to come.

77 minUSA with a spell of territory in the Scottish half, but Fenoglio drops the ball.

75 minHere'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.

73 minThe 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.

72 minHogg clears, and the USA have a lineout in the Scottish half.

71 minMaul doesn't reach the tryline, then Kilifi's drive is held up, and the USA cannot recycle possession. Scotland scrum.

70 minPenalty USA after a period of territory, and MacGinty kicks for the corner. The USA win the lineout, and the rolling maul follows.

69 minREPLACEMENTS! More USA subs as Kilifi replaces Fry and Baumann replaces Lamositele.

68 minREPLACEMENT! Fenoglio replaces Thiel at hooker for the USA.

67 minCONVERSION! Scotland 32-16 USA (Greig Laidlaw)

66 minScotland get the bonus point as Scott finds the gap in the USA defence before finding the tryline. Kick to come.

65 minTRY! Scotland 30-16 USA (Matt Scott)

64 minHere'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.

63 minUSA lose a fifth lineout, before Scotland get a penalty. Laidlaw kicks for touch.

62 minScottish pressure on the USA defence, but Hogg fires a looping pass at Maitland and the winger is unable to control it.

61 minREPLACEMENT! Russell is carried off and replaced by Weir.

60 minREPLACEMENTS! More changes as Scully and Durutalo come off for the USA, and Niua and Quill come on.

59 minFinn 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.

59 minScotland 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.

57 minScotland penalty, and a lineout follows at the 22 metre line in the USA half.

56 minREPLACEMENT! Scott replaces Horne for Scotland.

56 minREPLACEMENT! Laidlaw had just come onto the field, replacing Pyrgos.

55 minScotland add another try as Nel is carried over the line by the pack. Laidlaw adds the extras from in front of the posts.

55 minCONVERSION! Scotland 25-16 USA (Greig Laidlaw)

54 minTRY! Scotland 23-16 USA (Willem Nel)

53 minREPLACEMENTS! USA bring on Barrett and Suniula for Peterson and Petri.

52 minChargedown 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.

52 minRight on cue, MacGinty from in front of the posts after Scotland give away a penalty.

51 minPENALTY! Scotland 18-16 USA (AJ MacGinty)

50 minScotland have completely turned this game around in just 10 minutes. Can the USA find a way to get back in the lead?

50 minREPLACEMENT! Brown replaces Wilson for Scotland.

50 minUSA move into the Scottish half, before MacGinley tests Scotland with a kick.

48 minCONVERSION! Scotland 18-13 USA (Finn Russell)

48 minScotland 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.

47 minTRY! Scotland 16-13 USA (Sean Maitland)

45 minScully breaks for the USA but the referee calls it back for a late tackle by Kelly. Scotland saved by the ref's call there.

45 minREPLACEMENT! Dolan replaces Smith for USA.

44 minPascal 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!

43 minREPLACEMENTS! Couple of changes at the break for Scotland, as Dickinson replaces Grant, and Nel replaces Welsh.

43 minCONVERSION MISSED! Russell misses the kick from the touchline.

42 minFantastic start to the half for Scotland, as the ball is sent out wide by Hogg, before Visser is put in clear on the wing.

42 minTRY! Scotland 11-13 USA (Tim Visser)

41 minMacGinty returns the kickoff with a punt up field, and Scotland have an early lineout.

3.31pmKICKOFF! Scotland get proceedings under way.

3.31pmThe teams are out, and the restart is seconds away.

3.28pmJust 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?

3.23pmHere'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."

3.22pm

3.20pmFind out how the first half unfolded with Pascal Lemesre's half time report from Elland Road here.

3.19pmBoth 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.

3.17pmUSA 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.

3.16pmWell, 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.

3.15pmHALF TIME! Scotland 6-13 USA

40+1 minPENALTY! Scotland 6-13 USA (AJ MacGinty)

40 minThe 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.

39 minUSA 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.

38 minThe TMO is happy with the tackle.

37 minMacGinty 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.

35 minBig hit by Ngwenya! USA are not afraid to put in some strong tackles this afternoon.

34 minPENALTY 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.

34 minGood 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.

32 minGood tackle from Seamus Kelly, who stops a swiftly advancing Scotland attack.

29 minHere'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.

28 minThe 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.

26 minShould 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!

25 minUSA 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.

24 minHere'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.

22 minThe 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.

22 minCONVERSION! Scotland 6-10 USA (AJ MacGinty)

21 minTRY! Scotland 6-8 USA (Titi Lamositele)

20 minREPLACEMENT! Gilchrist goes off injured for Scotland, and is replaced by Swinson.

20 minScotland make some yards but give away a penalty for not releasing, and MacGinty kicks for the corner.

19 minPENALTY MISSED! Hogg's long-range effort goes wide.

18 minStop in play as Hogg waits to take a penalty from halfway.

18 minOn cue, USA win their first lineout. MacGinty tests Visser with a high punt, but the Scottish winger deals with the kick.

16 minRussell 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.

16 minPENALTY! Scotland 6-3 USA (Finn Russell)

15 minPenalty for Scotland, as the USA defence is offside.

14 minUSA 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.

12 minUSA get the lineout wrong yet again though, and Scotland are able to take control in their own half with a scrum.

11 minUSA penalty as Pyrgos loses his footing at the ruck, and MacGinty finds touch at the Scottish 22.

10 minHere'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.

9 minUSA win the ball from the scrum, but then lost the ball. USA scrum looked good though, and they have another chance to impress now.

8 minUSA lose another lineout, again the throw isn't straight from Thiel, and Scotland have a scrum in their opponents' half.

7 minHogg's kick is good, over the posts at the Don Revie stand.

7 minPENALTY! Scotland 3-3 USA (Stuart Hogg)

6 minPenalty for Scotland as the scrum is collapsed by the USA pack, and Stuart Hogg has an opportunity to level the scores.

5 minThe USA have another penalty, and MacGinty kicks for touch, reaching the halfway line. USA lineout isn't straight though, and Scotland get it back.

2.34pmThe scene from Elland Road earlier on.

3 minThe USA take the lead! MacGinty kicks a penalty from in front of the posts and Scotland are rocked early on.

2 minPENALTY! Scotland 0-3 USA (AJ MacGinty)

1 minFry 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.

2.31pmKICKOFF! USA get proceedings under way.

2.29pmThe anthems have been sung, the sun is shining, and kickoff is just moments away.

2.26pmLast 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."

2.24pmOne 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.

2.22pmThe 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.

2.18pmHere'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."

2.18pmBut it's always glorious in Leeds, right? Especially when the World Cup is in town.

2.17pmThe sun is shining in Yorkshire this afternoon.

2.16pmLet'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."

2.13pmScotland 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.

2.12pmUSA REPLACEMENTS: Fenoglio, Kilifi, Baumann, Dolan, Quill, Barrett, Suniula, Niua

2.11pmUSA STARTING XV: Fry, Thiel, Lamositele, Smith, Peterson, McFarland, Durutalo, Manoa; Petri, MacGinty, Scully, Palamo, Kelly, Ngwenya, Wyles

2.10pmSCOTLAND REPLACEMENTS: Bryce, Dickinson, Nel, Swinson, Brown, Laidlaw, Weir, Scott

2.09pmSCOTLAND STARTING XV: Grant, Ford, Welsh, Gray, Gilchrist, Strokosch, Wilson, Strauss; Pyrgos, Russell, Visser, Horne, Bennett, Maitland, Hogg

2.08pmLet's have a look at the two sides that will go head-to-head in just over 20 minutes.

2.06pmThis 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.

2.04pmThe atmosphere in Leeds is electric this afternoon.

2.02pmPool 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.

2.01pmGood 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.
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