England 28 USA 10
KEY POINTS:
LENS, France - Reigning champions England began the rugby World Cup with an unconvincing 28-10 win against the United States in Pool A at the Stade Felix Bollaert here today.
It was only when the Americans were reduced to 14 men towards the end of the first half
that Jason Robinson -- who scored England's last World Cup try in the 2003 final -- and Olly Barkley crossed the line.
Barkley, playing in place of the injured Jonny Wilkinson at first five-eighth, also kicked 13 points in a morale-boosting display ahead of Friday's crunch game against South Africa.
But the US deservedly had the final say thanks to a 74th minute try from replacement forward Matekitonga Moeakiola, which captain Mike Hercus converted, after England No 8 Lawrence Dallaglio had been sin-binned.
There was a general lack of sharpness about much of England's play.
Nevertheless, Barkley gave them the lead with a fifth minute penalty only for Hercus to counter from the re-start.
And it was the United States who nearly scored the game's first try when first five-eighth Hercus intercepted a stray pass and broke clear.
As he ran out of pace, he found centre Paul Emerick, who appeared to be tripped illegally by England captain Phil Vickery. But the prop escaped punishment from referee Jonathan Kaplan.
England, as has often been the case during their post-2003 slump, saw several moves in open play break down with the all-round form of Barkley, whose grubber ahead halfback Shaun Perry failed to gather, providing some consolation.
England reverted to their familiar tactics of the cross-kick and rolling maul before US centre Vahafolau Esikia was yellow-carded for hands in a ruck.
Barkley's ensuing penalty was the prelude to a pair of tries which helped secure a 21-3 halftime lead.
First, centre Mike Catt's cross-kick set up Robinson. Then lock Ben Kay released Barkley for a converted try.
Flanker Tom Rees powered his way over for a third try early in the second-half -- England's last score of the game.
Eagles wing Salesi Sika went close, knocking on in sight of the line after a tackle from centre Jamie Noon. But they had the satisfaction of seeing Moaekiola make the most of a series of close-range penalties.
- AFP