Scots bring Eagles crashing down

Scotland got the better of the USA 24-6 in their one-off Test in Houston on Saturday.

The visitors made hard work of their victory, despite enjoying complete dominance up front.

In truth, it was a game of little quality that exhibited just how far the Scots have fallen from their glory years. Having led 17-3 at the break, Stuart Hogg managed to raise some pulses in the second half with a moment of magic. It failed to disguise what was a mediocre showing against a side ranked 18th in the world.

Next up for the Scots is Canada, before they head south to face Argentina and the Springboks.

USA – Penalties: Chris Wyles (2).
Scotland – Tries: Tim Visser, penalty try, Stuart Hogg. Conversions: Greig Laidlaw (2). Penalty: Laidlaw (2)

USA – 15 Chris Wyles, 14 Blaine Scully, 13 Seamus Kelly, 12 Andrew Suniula, 11 Luke Hume, 10 Shalom Suniula, 9 Mike Petri, 8 Cam Dolan, 7 Scott LaValla, 6 Todd Clever (c), 5 Hayden Smith, 4 Louis Stanfill, 3 Eric Fry, 2 Phil Thiel, 1 Oliver Kilifi.
Subs: 16 Tom Coolican, 17 Nick Wallace, 18 Titi Lamositele, 19 Tai Tuisamoa, 20 Danny Barrett, 21 Folau Niua, 22 Chad London, 23 Tim Maupin.

Scotland – 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Duncan Taylor, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (c), 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Blair Cowan, 6 Al Strokosch, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Gordon Reid.
Subs: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Alex Allan, 18 Moray Low, 19 Grant Gilchrist, 20 Kieran Low, 21 Grayson Hart, 22 Ruaridh Jackson, 23 Max Evans.

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images