LENS, France (AP):OLLY BARKLEY scored a try in 18 points as England beat the United States 28-10 yesterday in a stuttering start to the defence of their Rugby World Cup title.
Man-of-the-match Barkley was the standout player for England, repeatedly troubling the U.S. defence with darting runs and well-placed kicks.
Fortunately for England, he also managed to play on after being felled in the 80th minute by a spear tackle that earned U.S. centre Paul Emerick a yellow card.
Barkley, who also landed three penalties and two conversions, was playing in place of first-choice flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson, who strained ligaments in his right ankle on Tuesday and could be ruled out of the tournament.
It was the latest setback in a career that has been plagued by injuries since Wilkinson kicked the World Cup final-winning drop goal in 2003, in Sydney.
But Barkley showed he is ready to step into Wilkinson's boots.
welcome result
The result at the Stade Felix Bollaert was welcome for England, but they never managed to overrun the Americans and will be nervous going into their crucial next match against South Africa, on Friday.
England coach Brian Ashton picked his strongest starting line-up to allow the team to play together ahead of the crucial South Africa game - and they looked like they needed the match practice.
England didn't manage to impose themselves until the Americans were reduced to 14 men, when Vahafolau Esikia was yellow carded for deliberately handling the ball in the ruck on the half hour.
Five minutes later, England finally got over the line when Josh Lewsey drew in the American defence with a swerving run, and from the breakdown, Mike Catt kicked across field for Robinson to score unopposed in the corner.
Barkley stretched the lead on the stroke of halftime when he scored near the posts and kicked the conversion to send England to the break 21-3 ahead.
Tom Rees stretched England's lead in the 49th minute when he took a quick tap penalty and charged over the line. Barkley's conversion made it 28-3.
But then, as Ashton shuffled his line-up with substitutions, England lost their way and allowed the Americans back into the game.
