England fail to convince against inspired Eagles

England's Jason Robinson, right, is tackled by Paul Emerick of the US at the Bollaert stadium in Lens, France, on Saturday. PHOTO: AP

Reigning England began the 2007 World Cup with an unconvincing 28-10 win against the US in Pool A at the Stade Felix Bollaert in Lens on Saturday.

It was only when the Eagles were reduced to 14 men towards the end of the first half that Jason Robinson -- who scored England's last World Cup try in the 2003 final -- and Olly Barkley crossed the Americans' line.

Barkley, playing in place of the injured Jonny Wilkinson at outside-half, also kicked 13 points in a morale-boosting display ahead of Friday's crunch game against South Africa.

But the Eagles had the final say thanks to a 74th minute try from replacement forward Matekitonga Moeakiola, which captain Mike Hercus converted, after England No. 8 Lawrence Dallaglio had been sin-binned.

"It was a less than satisfactory performance," England coach Brian Ashton admitted. "There was a lack of physicality and energy out there and I don't know why. The last 20 minutes were very disappointing from our point of view without taking anything away from the United States."

Skipper Phil Vickery was equally despondent.

"I am delighted with the win but disappointed with the performance," Vickery said.

"Credit the USA they made it made it difficult as we knew they would. What was it down to? Nerves, opening game, a lot of hype in the papers but you've got to be a little careful as emotions do run high after a match," he said. "We are not going to over-react but we know we didn't play very well."

England's against the US, a team they were expected to put away with ease, was lambasted by British newspapers yesterday as "diabolical" and "appallingly poor."

There was a general lack of sharpness about much of England's play, compared to that shown by tournament favorites New Zealand during their rout of Italy earlier in the day.

Nevertheless, Barkley gave England the lead with a fifth minute penalty only for Hercus to counter from the re-start.

And was the US who nearly scored the game's first try when outside-half Hercus intercepted a stray pass and broke clear.

As he ran out of pace, he found center Paul Emerick, who appeared to be tripped illegally by Vickery. But the prop escaped punishment from match referee Jonathan Kaplan.

England, as has often been the case during their post-2003 slump, saw several moves in open play break down with the all-round form of Barkley, whose grubber ahead scrumhalf Shaun Perry failed to gather, providing some consolation.

England to their familiar tactics of the cross-kick and rolling maul before US center Vahafolau Esikia was yellow-carded for hands in a ruck.

Barkley's penalty was the prelude to a pair of tries which helped secure a 21-3 halftime lead.

First, center Mike Catt's cross-kick set up Robinson. Then lock Ben Kay released Barkley for a converted try.

Flanker Tom Rees powered his way over for a third try early in the second-half -- England's last score of the game.

Eagles Salesi Sika went close, knocking on in sight of the line after a tackle from center Jamie Noon. But they had the satisfaction of seeing Moaekiola make the most of a series of close-range penalties.