It's time for some refreshments, as it's a humid 28° in Washington DC.

Rory Darge isn't taking on fluids just yet. He's asking Jordan Way why there's not been a yellow card for the USA after repeated infringements at the breakdown.

He might be young for a captain, but he's not green. I'm sure Jamie Ritchie would have encouraged Darge towards the referee there.

Another Scotland penalty now, as US skipper Paddy Ryan is pinged for coming in at the side. It's been less stop-start, more stop-stop so far.

Adam Hastings goes for the corner. A chance for Ewan Ashman to redeem himself, and he does so.

Scotland lose another line-out in succession, and now the US have territory in the Scottish half, and won a penalty in the process.

Sloppy stuff from the visitors. Gregor Townsend stands with his hands on his hips, he doesn't look impressed.

AJ MacGinty points to the sticks, and completely fluffs his kick. He doesn't do that often. A real let off.

The maul goes down, illegally, and referee Jordan Way gives the penalty. It looked like Scotland were charging towards the line there, but it's just kicked to the corner again.

This time, Scotland's line-out goes wrong and AJ MacGinty is able to batter it back down the pitch.

Another penalty to Scotland after another untidy breakdown. Both sides have been a bit ill-disciplined early on, particularly the hosts.

Banged into the corner, and another chance for Scotland.

A fast start from Scotland, but they are immediately pinged. I think it's George Horne who is pinged during the breakdown.

The US get into Scotland's 22m - how will the visitors' defence hold up?

Pretty well. They force the knock on, and Adam Hastings boots clear.

Lee Jones
Former Scotland winger on TNT Sports

The US defence are getting high on the edge, shutting things off out wide. Scotland are generating quick ball but so far, the US defence has shown real line speed.

Scotland immediately pinch the ball back from the restart, but they've been unable to penetrate deep into US territory.

A solid defensive set with plenty of phases, but the US pack holds up well. It won't be as easy as Canada, we've seen that already.

And off we go! Adam Hastings does the honours. Scotland in their white away kit, the US in their navy home kit.

Jordan Way is the referee, from Australia.

I've seen a young boy in the crowd wearing a tank top with a massive bald eagle on it. There's two young ladies in matching stars-and-stripes dresses. Ah, the USA.

After two years without a cap, Adam Hastings is back. Isn’t he? The way life has gone for him over the last few years, we will believe it when we see it.

At the height of his injury crisis, an 18-month spell which featured four operations, an invite to see a witch doctor in Barcelona, a whole load of angst and not a lot of games, Hastings started thinking he might be cursed.

The last time we saw him playing for Scotland he got marmalised by a 19 stone Fijian lock - Ratu Rotuisolia, the hitman of Labasa - to such an extent that his knee got smashed and his head suffered whiplash and concussion.

That moment set off a chain of events he described as "hellish."

You can read Tom's piece on Adam Hastings in full by clicking here.

Image source, SNS

Well, this is all running far smoother than things did in Ottawa. Teams out, anthems being sung, and all on time.

There's a few particularly passionate Scots belting out Flower of Scotland, in tune and everything. Absolutely superb stuff.

Next up, the Star Spangled Banner, and then we'll get into the rugby.

Lee Jones
Former Scotland winger on TNT Sports

It's a short turnaround from the Canada game.

We've got 15 changes so it's a chance to look at some of the other guys.

There are some tried and tested combinations out there, and Gregor Townsend will want another win tonight.

There's at least one recognisable name to you Scottish rugby fans in that USA line-up - captain Greg Peterson.

The Australian-born second-row made over 40 appearances during two spells at Glasgow, his second coming just last year.

You might also recognise the name Tommaso Boni. The bushy-haired centre has 11 Italy caps to his name but hasn't played for the Azzurri since 2018 and has since switched allegiances thanks to an American-born grandfather.

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Scotland’s tour of North America will feel especially poignant for Jamie Ritchie. He won his first cap on this tour six years ago. Tonight, he wins his 50th.

It's been an odd season for him. He captained Scotland to the World Cup, before being dropped in the Six Nations, and was then named in the URC's 'Elite XV' for the season.

Gregor Townsend sang the praises of his flanker, former captain and now vice-captain: "Talking about Jamie and his performances in the Six Nations and how he conducted himself in training, and off the field, when he wasn’t selected in a couple of match day squads, he was outstanding - a real credit to who he is as a person and a leader.

"He’s playing probably the best rugby of his career. He finished the season in excellent form and has continued it in training and will go into the game with real confidence. He’s in great condition and has many more (caps) to come."

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There might be a reason behind Scotland's remarkably strong line-up this evening - the last time Gregor Townsend took a side to America, they lost.

It was in a hot, clammy Houston in 2018 when a missed Blair Kinghorn conversion meant Scotland lost 30-29 the USA, an embarrassing defeat that was orchestrated by America's AJ MacGinty at fly-half.

A young Scottish side - who had a youthful Adam Hastings at 10 - struggled under American pressure despite a 15-point lead.

They thought they'd done enough with the last roll of the dice as Dougie Fife scored in the corner, but Kinghorn missed his kick and allowed the US a first ever win over a Tier One country.

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None of the players that started the 73-12 victory against Canada begin this one, as Gregor Townsend names a near full-strength squad for this match-up.

Jamie Ritchie makes his 50th Scotland appearance and is named vice-captain, alongside Kyle Steyn. Rory Darge and Sione Tuipulotu are co-captains.

Adam Hastings comes back for a first Scotland cap since 2022, in part of a back-line that features six Glasgow players plus Duhan van der Merwe - who could equal the record for tries scored for Scotland.

Scarlets' second-row Alex Craig will win his first cap in three years as he joins Scott Cummings in the second row.

Image source, Getty Images

USA: Carty, Mooneyham, Lopeti, Boni, Augspurger; MacGinty, Smith; Iscaro, Fawsitt, Ainu'u, Helu, Peterson (c), Golla, Ryan, Fa'anana-Schultz.

Replacements: Pifeleti, Turnbull, Mullen, Uhila, Bonasso, McVeigh, Campbell, Wilson.

Scotland: Rowe; Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu (cc), Van der Merwe; Hastings, Horne; Schoeman, Ashman, Walker, Cummings, Craig, Ritchie, Darge (cc), M Fagerson.

Replacements: Smith, Sutherland, Millar Mills, Williamson, Crosbie, Dobie, Thompson, Currie.