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Scotland came back to beat the USA after a faltering first half to remain top of their group with another bonus point victory.
It was a game of two halves in which the USA made the most of Scotland’s errors in the first period and deservedly went in at half-time leading 13-6.
Two penalties from AJ MacGinty and a try scored by prop Titi Lamositele were enough to make sure the Eagles had the advantage at the break.
The defending from Scotland before the try was absent and a lack of marking and scrambling allowed the USA to get past the Scottish defensive line with Lamositele bundling the ball over.
The Elland Road crowd saw a replenished Scotland team emerge after half-time and it took just three minutes for them to make an impact on the game. Tim Visser scored the try after some excellent work from Josh Strauss drawing in the USA tackles.
Better handling and more composed passing became the turning point for Scotland as Sean Maitland and WP Nel scored two more tries within a quarter of an hour in the second half.
Matt Scott won the bonus point for his team just past the midway point of the second half. A penalty was kicked into touch and Scotland maintained possession well from the lineout; a few phases of play leading to Scott just getting the ball over the line.
Richie Gray and Josh Strauss were once again instrumental in the build-up to the fifth try as the ball found its way to Duncan Weir who scored comfortably.
The kicking was good enough for Scotland in the match with Stuart Hogg scoring a penalty, Finn Russell with a penalty and a conversion and captain Greig Laidlaw converting three of the tries.
This victory has put Scotland in a good position with maximum points at the top of Pool B but their upcoming matches against South Africa and Samoa will be more of a test.
