Joe Cokanasiga overcomes a challenge from Mike Teo to crash over the line for England's seventh try. [Source: World Rugby]

Fijian-flier Joe Cokanasiga scored a try on Rugby World Cup 2019 debut as England defeated USA 45-7 for their second successive bonus-point victory.

Captain and Player of the Match George Ford guided England to victory over USA, who had flanker John Quill sent off.

Quill was shown the red card by referee Nic Berry in the 69th minute for using his shoulder to the head of England’s Owen Farrell, the first sending-off of the tournament.

He is the first USA player to be sent off in a World Cup match.

He played a crucial role in @englandrugby‘s victory and was awarded the @mastercard Player of the Match for #ENGvUSA, it’s George Ford!

15 points (highest in a RWC2019 match)
2 try assists (#1 in this match)#StartSomethingPriceless #POTM #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/TwWJrreTlH

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 26, 2019

England had made 10 changes from the win over Tonga for a Pool C match notable for the humid conditions in Kobe.

Both Dan Cole and Ben Youngs joined Jonny Wilkinson on 91 caps – the third-highest total in English rugby history.

.@EnglandRugby scored 7 tries for back-to-back bonus point victories ?

Hear from George Ford as he reflects on the performance ⤵️#RWC2019 #ENGvUSA #RWCKobe pic.twitter.com/MnjwlczqZU

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 26, 2019

The USA were well served by the bravery of Will Hooley in a losing cause, but their lack of quality ball restricted them to only sporadic attempts to break out of the England stranglehold. They finally managed to get on the scoreboard in the final minute when Bryce Campbell scored a try.

England’s first-half performance was shaped by Ford’s tactical kicking and the driving maul his forwards used to score two of the three tries that were created.

However, other chances were wasted, most notably by winger Joe Cokanasiga just before half-time when Elliot Daly’s clever chip was collected by Jonathan Joseph only for the winger to knock on when it seemed certain he would bring up the bonus points try.

The @USARugby‘s Blaine Scully was “proud of the effort” but there are a “few areas to clean up.” #RWC2019 #ENGvUSA #RWCKobe pic.twitter.com/5xScpR7fdP

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 26, 2019

There was relief for the USA Eagles when England were awarded early penalties that Ford – who was orchestrating the game – opted to kick for the corner rather than the posts.

Ford then showed his team the way to the line with England’s first try, which he converted after five minutes.

The forwards then took charge, with first Billy Vunipola scoring after a powerful driving maul, and hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie getting his second try in as many matches after another impressive drive to establish a 19-0 half-time lead.

HT in #RWCKobe @EnglandRugby lead the @USARugby – What does the second half have in store? ?#RWC2019 #ENGvUSA pic.twitter.com/tcuQzM9o1S

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 26, 2019

England decided to rest Vunipola and replaced him with Mark Wilson at half-time, with Dan Cole and Joe Marler taken out of the action at the same time and Ellis Genge and Kyle Sinckler taking over.

It took seven minutes of the half to bring up the bonus-point try.

Joseph spun away from two tacklers and after he was halted just short, quick ball allowed Cokanasiga to score and make up for that earlier error.

Joseph, an increasingly influential figure in the England midfield, gave the pass for Ruaridh McConnochie to score his debut try, pictured, which Ford converted from the touchline. McConnochie became the first Olympic sevens medallist to score at the World Cup.

Lewis Ludlam was the next on the scoresheet getting a reward for a hard-working effort on the open-side and Ford’s conversion made it England’s highest score against the USA at the World Cup.

Then came the sending off, leaving the USA with even more defensive work to undertake.

FT in #RWCKobe @EnglandRugby defeated @USARugby in the Pool C clash

England ??????? are next in action v Argentina ?? while the USA ?? face France ??#RWC2019 #ENGvUSA pic.twitter.com/oL8POG2Z0S

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 26, 2019