Win for Scotland - after woeful first half

Scotland have beaten USA - the score there 39-16. Here's part two of John Shires' blog.

Cotter's immediate answer to Scotland's woeful first half was to change two thirds of his front row. And if he also gave his team the hairdryer at half time it certainly worked. Less than two minutes in, a textbook passing move put Visser over in the corner. No inaccuracies this time, apart from the conversion which was missed. And a couple of minutes later Russell's deft offload led to a try under the posts for Sean Maitland. Suddenly Scotland were 18-13 up. Surely the underdog had had its day.

Not quite. Another penalty from MacGinty reduced the gap to two points, but the suspicion that Scotland's fitness and strength in depth would take its toll was reinforced when replacement WP Nel bullocked his way over the line for the Scots' third try. 25-16. Momentum had switched enough now for Scotland to turn down penalty kicks in favour of attacking lineouts, a policy that paid dividends when another replacement, Matt Scott, danced through to claim a four-try bonus point.

The USA still had their moments - giant replacement prop, the quaintly named Olive Kilifi, dropped the ball with the line at his mercy - but by now the largely Scottish crowd were relaxed enough to indulge in the dreaded Mexican Wave.

Towards the end Duncan Weir added a fifth try meaning a final scoreline of 39-16 to the Scots. Comfortable, but more than a little flattering. What have we learned? That the USA are improving and willing, but ultimately limited, and that Scotland can't rely on their second string against even the weaker teams in this World Cup.

And - speaking as someone who doesn't support Leeds United - we no doubt saw more entertainment than on the usual match-day afternoon at Elland Road