Saxons rout sorry Eagles

Benjamin: hat-trick of tries for Worcester wing

Worcester winger Miles Benjamin scored a hat-trick as England Saxons ran in a total of 13 tries in an 87-8 rout of Eddie O'Sullivan's United States side.

Stuart Lancaster's Saxons outfit laid down an early marker in the defence of their Churchill Cup crown as they cut loose in emphatic style at Franklin's Gardens.

There was also a double for Mike Brown and further tries from Micky Young, Tom Johnson, Billy Twelvetrees, Henry Trinder, Charlie Sharples, replacement Graham Kitchener and Paul Hodgson, plus a penalty try awarded by referee Nigel Owens as the American scrum repeatedly collapsed near their own line.

The home pack's dominance was underpinned by an eye-catching display from Matt Stevens who was making his first appearance in England colours since serving a two-year ban for drug use.

Surprisingly, it was the Americans who took the lead, with Tai Enosa landing an early penalty, but that was as good as it got for the visitors with the Saxons quickly establishing a stranglehold that they would not relinquish.

A surge from captain Jordan Crane created the chance for Benjamin to cross for his first try and Brown took advantage of sloppy American play to take England clear.

Pain for O'Sullivan

Brown kicked through for Benjamin to sprint on and touch down for his second five-pointer, and Young pounced soon afterwards to inflict more pain on former Ireland coach O'Sullivan.

The penalty try moved Saxons 33-3 ahead, and the tries continued to flow after the interval, Brown adding another in the early stages of the second half and Johnson dashing over in fine style before Twelvetrees added his name to the scoresheet.

Trinder and Sharples kept the score ticking over before Kitchener scored one and set up another for Hodgson who cantered over under the posts allowing Rory Clegg to kick the last of his 22-point haul.

The most scant of consolations arrived late on for the United States as Scott Lavalla powered over from close range.