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Saturday, August 21, 1999 Published at 20:44 GMT 21:44 UK


Sport: Rugby Union

Ton-up England rout US

Guscott: Four tries for Bath centre

England 106-8 US

Four-try Jeremy Guscott starred as England romped to a massive win at Twickenham.


Ian Robertson reports from Twickenham
The home side claimed 16 touchdowns and scored a staggering 75 points in the second half.

Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson booted 13 conversions as Martin Johnson's men topped the ton for the second time in a year, following last November's 110-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Holland in Huddersfield.

The USA were outclassed in every department as England refused to let up in the closing stages, almost scoring at will in the World Cup warm-up friendly.

The majority of Guscott's tries were long-range efforts, while full-back Matt Perry, wing Dan Luger and flanker Neil Back each posted doubles.

Dallaglio impressive

The only disappointments were the desperately low Twickenham crowd of around 15,000, and that former captain Lawrence Dallaglio could not score on his return from exile.

Dallaglio faces a Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing next Wednesday to answer a disrepute charge and that he took recreational drugs during the 1997 British Lions tour of South Africa.

But he played a supporting role in many of England's numerous attacking moves.

Dallaglio, playing his first competitive match since helping Wasps win the Tetley's Bitter Cup against Newcastle on 15 May, looked as if he had never been away.

The star back-row man put his off-field problems to one side, proving once again his immense value to England in World Cup year and underlining what a huge void he will leave if any RFU suspension sidelines him.

Not 'full-on'

The US's Eagles were unable to provide England with the "full-on" encounter coach Clive Woodward had wanted although they led 3-0 through a penalty from scrum-half Kevin Dalzell until England opened their account in the 16th minute.

Once flanker Richard Hill had touched down, though, there was no stopping England as they led 31-8 at half-time and then raced away through three further scores between the 43rd and 48th minutes.

The USA were on a damage limitation exercise from then, but could not cope and nine different England players ended up scoring tries, while New Zealand referee Paul Honiss also awarded a penalty try against Dan Lyle's side for persistent off-side.

Fittingly it was Guscott who brought up England's first century at Twickenham, sprinting clear from inside his own half, and Wilkinson converted with the game's final kick.

England had twice scored 60 points at Twickenham - against Canada and Wales.





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