England in line to clip the Eagles

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

If Uncle Sam's finest had wanted to portray themselves to the holders as hopeless outsiders, they could not have done a better job. Their failure to see off a largely Munster second XV in Chicago on Sunday suggests that England will be filling their boots.

Despite 12 of their front-line players being engaged with Ireland, the provincial side overturned a six-point deficit to beat the Americans 10-6, a setback which the Eagles ascribed to stage-fright brought about by the 8,600-strong crowd. 'This was one of the largest crowds a lot of the guys had played in front of,' backs coach Adam Friend said. 'Our mistakes came from being too excited.'

With nothing more than two penalties from ex-Sale and Llanelli fly-half Mike Hercus (right) to comfort them, the U.S. side may not contain England as well as they did in their two previous World Cup skirmishes, when they kept the score down to 34-6 in Sydney 20 years ago and 37-9 at Twickenham in 1991.

As Wales, Scotland and Ireland reflect on a weekend of poor final rehearsals, all three believe they still have time to 'put it right'. Ireland flanker Neil Best sounded a realistic postscript to his country's lucky 23-20 win over Italy in Belfast. 'If we make those mistakes at the World Cup, we'll be destroyed,' he said.

Ireland start their cup campaign against Namibia in Bordeaux, Wales face Canada in Nantes and Scotland take on Portugal in St Etienne. All three fixtures take place on Sunday, September 9.