Well that was a turgid display from the defending champions. After all the hype about their aging squad having the experience to cause a shock at this World Cup, they were at times out played by a young American team.

The Eagles seemed to have the more dangerous back division, and only a lack of top level experience saw them take the wrong options at the vital moments.

The score could have been very different.

However, only time will tell us if the England team were making their opponents look better than they are, or if team USA can go on to cause a couple of upsets in this tournament.

A certain Mr Wilkinson was watching that from the stands and I wouldn't blame him if he did not want to get back into the team for their vital match against South Africa next week. Another performance like that could severely embarrass the English and leave them with a potentially treacherous quarter-final ahainst an Australian team that certainly seem to have their tails up at the moment.