England run in seven tries in dominant Pool C victory in humid Kobe
Owen Farrell flattened by dangerous high tackle - John Quill sent off
Ludlam, McConnochie and Cokanasiga (two) score in second half
Billy Vunipola & Cowan-Dickie score from first-half rolling mauls
Captain George Ford strolls through for first try in sixth minute
Bryce Campbell scores consolation try for USA in injury time
England v United States (11:45 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesA couple of names to look for in the United States team:
Centre Paul Lasike now plies his trade for Harlequins, but has also done stints with NFL teams Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears.
While hooker Joe Taufete'e - a Worcester player - has scored more tries than any other hooker in Test rugby.
England v United States (11:45 BST)
Image source, AFPEngland coach Eddie Jones lobbed his usual tasty tidbit from the top table of the pre-match media conference.
He predicted that the United States would come out "all guns blazing" like "15 Donald Trumps."
United States counterpart Gary Gold did not bite.
"I don't know what it means," he said.
What would the 45th president be like on the rugby field? A lot of trash talk, strong on defence but also ill-disciplined?
Image source, Radio 5 LiveEngland v USA (11:45 BST)
Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Kobe Misaki Stadium
There is no shortage of USA fans here, but how did they get into rugby in a nation obsessed with American football?
I went round the stadium to ask them, the reasons range from Irish catholic family members to a thriving college rugby scene.
Head to BBC Sport's Instagram story, external to listen to what fans had to say.
Image source, BBC SportEngland v United States (11:45 BST)
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Sure Sam Burgess is watching somewhere Down Under...
England v United States (11:45 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesA crack sevens side.
A new professional league featuring the likes of Ben Foden and Mathieu Bastareaud.
A huge pool of athletic talent, massive commercial potential and the possibility of hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2027 or 2031.
Are the United States rugby's next superpower?
I had a chat with Alex Corbisiero, former England and British and Irish Lion, now stateside analyst, and USA Rugby CEO Ross Young to find out.
England v USA (11:45 BST)
Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Kobe Misaki Stadium
Kobe feels like a place with a bit more European influence compared to other Japanese cities we’ve seen so far.
There are bakeries everywhere which do an excellent baguette. This one seemed to be embracing the World Cup too.
Image source, BBC SportAs well as French, there's a bit of Scottish influence...
Image source, BBC Sport#bbcrugby or 81111 on text
Alex Abbott on Twitter: USA to beat. / Quarter finals beckon us. / Can we do it? Yes!
Liam Emerson on Twitter: To express yourself / In seventeen syllables / Is very diffic.
Matt Barron on Twitter: Japan has culture / Tattoos related to gangs /So, cover them up
England v United States (11:45 BST)
Matt Dawson
England World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Live
Billy Vunipola is a week-to-week player. His body can handle it. He never used to be an 80-minute player but he is now. But I don't think he needs 80 minutes tonight.
Image source, Getty Images
Paul Grayson
Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, AFPThey have got to be vastly better than against Tonga. There really are no excuses at this level. It is going to be challenging - the ball will be greasy and it's genuinely hot in here.
You can tune into BBC Radio 5 live's commentary via the play button at the top of this page or the BBC Sport or Sounds apps.
#bbcrugby and 81111 on text
Tom Fordyce
BBC chief sports writer at the Kobe Misaki stadium
Mountains and the sea
Blue skies and weird trainer shops
Kobe you charmer
#bbcrugby or 81111 on text
Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Kobe Misaki Stadium
I’ve been in Japan a whole week now and I’m feeling so immersed in the country’s culture that I think it’s time for a haiku:
Kobe is super
The port is busy with fans
So, long live rugby
That was a terrible effort. If you can do better, send us one in on Twitter using #bbcrugby
For those not up to date on Japanese poetry rules, a haiku has three lines. The first line has five syllables, the second has seven and the third five again.
Got it? Right, send us your best efforts on #bbcrugby, external on Twitter or 81111 on text.
England v United States (11:45 BST)
As ever at this World Cup, the fans have brought the colour.
England v United States (11:45 BST)
Tom Fordyce
BBC chief sports writer at the Kobe Misaki Stadium
Image source, PA MediaKobe has won lots of hearts and minds since England supporters started pouring in - a city with mountains to the rear and sea to the front, weather right in the sweet spot between warm and hot, cafes and bars and waterfalls and onsens. Time for England's players to burnish it all with a few more special memories.
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BBC Radio 5 live are on the scene in Kobe. You can listen to live commentary via digital radio, the top of this page, the BBC Sport and BBC Sounds apps.
They are up and running...
England v USA (11:45 BST)
Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Kobe Misaki Stadium
Paul Skinner and his family moved from Twickenham to America in 1997. Back in 2015 he went to watch Premiership side Harlequins, where he is still a season ticket holder, take on the USA team.
There he met 1991 Women’s World Cup winner Ann Barford and says she “told such a compelling story of grass-roots rugby” that he had to become a supporter.
After 22 years in New York, Skinner and his family became US citizens just in time for the World Cup, and he says today will bring “mixed emotions”.
“It’s old home v new home,” he added. “I’m always inclined to the underdog so I’ll mostly support USA. Then after the match I am supporting the winner!”
Image source, Paul SkinnerEngland v United States (11:45 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesThe United Stated have named Sale Sharks fly-half AJ MacGinty in their team to play against England in their World Cup Pool C match in Kobe.
MacGinty is one of six England-based players in the USA squad for their opening game in Japan.
He will be joined in the starting XV by hooker Joe Taufete'e (Worcester Warriors), prop Titi Lamositele (Saracens), lock Ben Landry (Ealing Trailfinders) and centre Paul Lasike (Harlequins).
The side will be captained by wing Blaine Scully, 31, who previously played for Leicester Tigers and will be featuring in his third World Cup.
USA team to play England: Hooley; Scully (c), Brache, Lasike, Iosefo; MacGinty, Davies; Ainuu, Taufete'e, Lamositele, Landry, Civetta, Lamborn, Quill, Dolan
Replacements: Fawsitt, Kilifi, Mullen, Peterson, Germishuys, De Haas, Campbell, Te'o
England v USA (11:45 BST)
Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Kobe Misaki Stadium
The majority of England fans seemed to arrive in Kobe on Wednesday, so there were suddenly a lot more rugby shirts on show at the city’s sights.
Kobe sits between the sea and forested mountains, where steep trails lead up to waterfalls, reservoirs and look-out points.
One group of fans was trying to run up to the 1000m peak and as I was on my way back down, others asked me if it was worth continuing as they breathlessly scaled the endless steps. I told them it was.
Image source, BBC SportEngland v United States (11:45 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland have rung the changes for the second game of their World Cup campaign as coach Eddie Jones looks to deal with the short turnaround between matches.
Only five of the players who started the 35-3 win over Tonga on Sunday will begin against the USA, with George Ford captaining the side from fly-half.
There are World Cup debuts for wingers Ruaridh McConnochie and Joe Cokanasiga, as well as centre Piers Francis.
England starting XV:Elliot Daly; Ruaridh McConnochie, Jonathan Joseph, Piers Francis, Joe Cokanasiga; George Ford, Willi Heinz; Joe Marler, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, George Kruis, Tom Curry, Lewis Ludlam, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements:Jack Singleton, Ellis Genge, Kyle Sinckler, Courtney Lawes, Mark Wilson, Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell, Anthony Watson.
England v United States (11:45 BST)
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter a stop-start hit-out against Tonga delivered a 35-3 win in Sunday's Rugby World Cup opener, England have promised to go hard from the off in today's meeting with the United States.
With matches against Argentina and France to follow before potential quarter-finals and beyond, there are plenty of players given the opportunity to impress today as well.
England v United States (11:45 BST)
Kobe calls to mind two things.
Mountains of prime beef.
Image source, Getty ImagesAnd shifting tectonic plates.
Image source, GettyThere is gong to be plenty of that this afternoon.