Rugby World Cup 2019: England vs. USA as it happened

By George Ramsay and Matias Grez, CNN

Updated 11:13 AM ET, Thu September 26, 2019
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10:04 a.m. ET, September 26, 2019

That's a wrap

So a comprehensive victory for England in end, which won 45-7 against a USA side reduced to 14 men in the second half.

The Rugby World Cup takes a break on Friday as players and fans enjoy a well-deserved rest. Next up is Argentina vs. Tonga, Japan vs. Ireland and South Africa vs. Namibia on Saturday.

Thanks for joining us.

USA players bow to fans in Kobe.
USA players bow to fans in Kobe. Adam Pretty/Getty Images

England's George Ford is applauded by USA players in Kobe.
England's George Ford is applauded by USA players in Kobe.  David Rogers/Getty Images

9:50 a.m. ET, September 26, 2019

Dressed to impressed

Not the scoreline US fans were hoping for, but that didn't dampen their spirits in the Kobe Misaki Stadium.

This suit, glasses, and headband combo gets 10/10 from us.

David Rogers/Getty Images
David Rogers/Getty Images

9:55 a.m. ET, September 26, 2019

The Church report

Outscored and outclassed, England simply proved too good for the USA.

CNN Sport's Ben Church writes:

Despite boasting a population of 330 million, men's rugby in the US is still on the rise and its opening match in Japan demonstrates just how far there is to go before it can compete on the biggest stage.

You can read more about the match here.

9:30 a.m. ET, September 26, 2019

Bak-san's back

Superfan Bak-san has caused a bit of a stir at the Rugby World Cup. He's vowed to paint all 20 teams' jerseys on his torso over the course of the tournament and ticked off the white and red of England in Kobe on Thursday.

Where will we see him next?

9:24 a.m. ET, September 26, 2019

Keys stats

USA missed 54 tackles in total. That's a lot.

England made 19 clean breaks. That's also a lot.

England:

Possession: 70%

Defenders beaten: 54

Clean breaks: 19

Offloads: 16

Tackles: 58

Tackles missed: 19

Turnovers won: 11

USA:

Possession: 30%

Defenders beaten: 19

Clean breaks: 3

Offloads: 7

Tackles: 159

Tackles missed: 54

Turnovers won: 7

England's Anthony Watson goes on the attack.
England's Anthony Watson goes on the attack. David Rogers/Getty Images

9:22 a.m. ET, September 26, 2019

Get well soon, Will

There were some worrying scenes as USA fullback Will Hooley had to be stretchered off in a neck brace after landing awkwardly.

Let's hope it was only precautionary and he'll be back for the USA's next match against France next week.

Will Hooley is stretchered off after landing awkwardly.
Will Hooley is stretchered off after landing awkwardly. Adam Pretty/Getty Images

9:16 a.m. ET, September 26, 2019

Quill sees red

Two unfortunate records for the USA's John Quill after he was red carded for a high tackle: the first player at Japan 2019 to be dismissed, and the first for the USA at any Rugby World Cup.

9:12 a.m. ET, September 26, 2019

'It was fortunate to get one (try)'

USA captain Blaine Scully says he was proud of his teammates' effort against England but admitted they were sloppier in areas than they would have liked.

The team will go back and analyze the video footage and hope to improve for next Wednesday's match against France.

9:07 a.m. ET, September 26, 2019

Eddie Jones: 'Ball was a cake of soap'

England coach Eddie Jones said his players did well in slippery conditions in Kobe City. He spoke to ITV after the match:

I think we're getting used to the conditions. It was 27 degrees, 70 percent humidity, the ball was like a cake of soap. We've got good players, they can catch and pass, so it must be difficult conditions. We wanted to be on 10 points at the end of two games so we're perfect ... we'll give (the players) a bit of a break. We've got two or three days off, I'll just have a look at the calendar and work it out but we're going to have a nice break and then it's a one-off game against Argentina that's going to be important.