\n<\/p>\n
To many first-time viewers of this England team, it was a sight to behold.<\/p>\n
None of what occurred will be news to head coach John Mitchell, however. He will be looking more closely at the fine detail of his team, rather than Kildunne’s well-known headline-grabbing abilities.<\/p>\n
The neat dovetailing of Tatyana Heard and Megan Jones \u2013 a centre partnership that combines power, pace and nous \u2013 will have been particularly pleasing.<\/p>\n
Jones made perhaps the tackle of the match, marching Lotte Sharp at pace and drawing winces from the stands.<\/p>\n
Her break, followed by Heard’s quick hands, set up Abby Dow’s score just after half-time.<\/p>\n
It is difficult to see veteran Emily Scarratt, who arrived off the bench in the second half, edging her way back into a first-choice pairing any time soon.<\/p>\n
Loose-head Hannah Botterman raged around in the loose and stole a prime turnover off the floor, perhaps inspired by the chance to show up United States’ Hope Rogers who was picked in World Rugby’s Team of the Year in her position.<\/p>\n
Sadia Kabeya buzzed with energy in the back row, while fly-half Zoe Harrison’s kicking for posts was superb.<\/p>\n
With Emma Sing, the squad’s most impressive off the tee, on the bench and the small change potentially crucial in the knockout rounds, it is an area where high standards must be maintained.<\/p>\n
The driving maul is still a trump card and the neat off-the-top variation that gave hooker Amy Cokayne her try will have opponents second-guessing themselves afresh.<\/p>\n
The scrum was dominant, especially in the early exchanges.<\/p>\n
However there is room for improvement.<\/p>\n
Some of the intricacies, tip-on passes in midfield particularly, went astray. Better teams will bring more line speed and pressure to bear on those skills.<\/p>\n
Jess Breach scored two tries but won’t want to watch the way she was shrugged off by Erica Jarrell-Searcy for the United States’ score.<\/p>\n
Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, who missed this match with a minor injury, will be back to put pressure on Breach soon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n