Match Report: USA 7 – 42 Scotland

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 12: Duhan van der Merwe #11 of Team Scotland avoids the tackle attempts of Nate Augspurger #11 and Tavite Lopeti #13 of Team United States to score a try during the first half at Audi Field on July 12, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images for Scottish Rugby)

It took just six minutes for van der Merwe to edge himself closer to making Scotland Men’s rugby history, scoring his 27^th Test match try to level with the record holder, Stuart Hogg.

From the line-out, the back line unveiled their magic to put the winger into space and coast over for Scotland’s opener. In his return to the number 10 jersey after two years, Adam Hastings successfully added the extras to give Scotland an early lead [0-7, 6 mins].

Scotland quickly had an additional opportunity to strike with a lineout inside the Eagles 22, but with the ball scuffing Matt Fagerson’s fingertips at the back, the opposition were able to gather, with AJ MacGinty clearing the lines for the hosts.

Shortly after, the USA looked to get themselves on the board after Scotland were penalised for an infringement at the ruck just on the outskirts of their 22. Despite what looked like a relatively comfortable position to kick from the tee, MacGinty’s punt went right of the sticks for Scotland to gather and force play back into Eagles territory.

As the clock approached the 20^th minute, USA were next to be disciplined, conceding a penalty for coming in at the side and from the chosen route of a line-out, Scotland scored a textbook rolling maul try, with Ewan Ashman piercing his way through the left of the defence, dotting down for his fifth international try. Hastings’ conversion was successful, boosting Scotland’s tally on the scoreboard [0-14, 19 mins].

The Eagles continued to lack discipline, and in the 25^th minute, referee Jordan Way was forced to pull the yellow card from his pocket, sending tighthead David Ainu’u to the bin, citing repeated infringements at the maul and ruck.

With that man advantage, Scotland were set to strike in similar fashion, from a lineout on the left flank. The aerial heights of Scott Cummings ensured safe ball to Ashman, and the hooker doted down again. Hastings made it three from three with another straightforward conversion [0-21, 26 mins].

It could not be understated however, the humid and greasy conditions of the Audi Field in Washington DC. As such, a Scotland scrum just five metres from their own try line made for easy pickings for the hosts, with the ball slipping like butter from Fagerson’s hands as he gathered from the back of the scrum. MacGinty pounced on the chance to secure ball, and through quickly recycling, the Eagles had finally landed their first points of the night through Tomasso Boni who ran in a short line across the whitewash. MacGinty added the extras from a short-range position [7-21, 32 mins].

The Eagles were next offered an opportunity to narrow the deficit when the hosts forced a penalty at the scrum. Despite a more front facing position some 40 metres out, the ball swung wide to the left allowing Scotland to gather and Hastings exited to take Scotland back into US 22.

As the clock wound down to the final five minutes of the first half, Scotland fans could be forgiven for feeling a sense of DeJa’Vu, with the USA coughing up a series of repeated penalties gifting Scotland three lineout attempts on the five-metre line. But third time was the charm – and in more ways than one – as Ashman powered over for a hat-trick. Hastings closed the opening half with a successful conversion [7-28, 40 mins]

Half-time: USA 7 – 28 Scotland

After a scrappy set of opening exchanges in the second half, Scotland resumed scoring as Kyle Rowe broke away along the short on the right wing, racing across the gain-line. With George Horne in hot pursuit, Rowe popped the ball back inside for the scrum-half to soar across the whitewash. Complementing the work of his Glasgow Warriors team-mates, Hastings added the extras to increase Scotland’s lead [7-35, 50 mins].

The weather and conditions continued to pose problems for both sides in the proceeding 20 minutes of play as the ball continued to slip away from the grasp of both sides during their turbulent attacking phases.

As play entered the 70^th minute, Scotland had a solid platform for some set piece play with a scrum on the Eagles 15-metre line. The ball was whipped from left to right through the backline, reaching Rowe, who expertly read the play, and chipped the ball through a scattered defence. Just as Kyle Steyn approached the whitewash, the ball slipped through his hands, knocking on in the process, ending Scotland’s next try-scoring opportunity.

However, with a recently refreshed forward pack, the Scots were able to force the hosts back towards their try line in the scrum for Fagerson to apply downward pressure and gift Scotland their sixth, and what would come to pass as final, try of the match. Ross Thompson, who replaced Hastings close to the hour mark, lined up for the conversion and landed it perfectly to add a few more points to the board [7-42, 74 mins].

As play entered the dying minutes, the Eagles were given one final attempt to hunt for their prey in the form of a try, as Scotland conceded a penalty five metres out from their try line, but once again, the unkind conditions deteriorated play and Scotland took the scrum.

The Eagles were able to force a penalty from the visitors, and quickly took a tap to strike for the line but an ever-determined defence from Scotland saw the score held up and the final whistle was blown.

Full-time: USA 7 – 42 Scotland

Scotland Men: Kyle Rowe, Kyle Steyn (vice-captain) Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (co-captain) (all Glasgow Warriors), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby); Adam Hastings, George Horne (both Glasgow Warriors); Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman (both Edinburgh Rugby), Murphy Walker (Glasgow Warriors), Alex Craig (Scarlets), Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors), Jamie Ritchie (vice-captain) (Edinburgh Rugby), Rory Darge (co-captain), Matt Fagerson (both Glasgow Warriors)

Replacements: Robbie Smith (on for Ewan Ashman, 58 mins) (Northampton Saints), Rory Sutherland (on for Pierre Schoeman, 51 mins) (Glasgow Warriors), Elliot Millar Mills (on for Murphy Walker, 51 mins) (Northampton Saints), Max Williamson (on for Alex Craig, 51 mins) (Glasgow Warriors), Luke Crosbie (on for Jamie Ritchie, 58 mins) (Edinburgh Rugby), Jamie Dobie (Glasgow Warriors), Ross Thompson (on for George Horne, 58 mins), Matt Currie (on for Huw Jones, 67 mins) (both Edinburgh Rugby)

USA: Luke Carty, Conner Mooneyham, Tavite Lopeti, Tommaso Boni, Nate Augspurger, AJ MacGinty, JP Smith, Jack Iscaro, Dylan Fawsitt, David Ainu’u, Viliami Helu, Greg Peterson, Sam Golla, Paddy Ryan, Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz

Replacements: Kapeli Pifeleti, Jake Turnbull, Paul Mullen, Saia Uhila, Ben Bonasso, Ethan McVeigh, Bryce Campbell, Mitch Wilson

Referee: Jordan Way (AUS)
Assistant referees: Adam Leal (RFU) and Robin Kaluzniak (RC)
TMO: Chris Assmus (RC)
Attendance: 17,418