Scotland look to put bad start behind them

Scotland were aiming to put a difficult start to the World Cup behind them as they took on the powerful American Eagles in their second Pool B match in Brisbane today.

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan had to cope with the loss of openside flanker Andy Mower to injury, while the unconvincing first-up win over Japan and the unplanned shift of their training base meant preparations have not been smooth.

But the message from the camp has remained positive.

McGeechan brought in Gregor Townsend, Scotland’s most-capped player, to start at fly-half and he would have good memories of playing the Americans after his brilliant performance at Murrayfield two years ago brought him a 33-point haul, including two tries.

Nathan Hines, who was sent off when these two sides met last year, had the chance to atone for that indiscretion after being brought into the second row in place of Scott Murray.

Hooker Gordon Bulloch captained his country for the second time after leading the team in a pre-World Cup loss to Ireland.

American coach Tom Billups kept faith with the side that impressed against Fiji before losing narrowly, which meant the Scots faced the towering presence of Luke Gross.

The Rotherham lock is the tournament’s tallest player and he won his 60th cap as part of an American forward pack that carried a 69kg advantage over the Scots.