Scotland run riot after the break to avoid USA shock at Rugby World Cup

Duncan Weir scores try number five for Scotland against the United States ©Getty Images

Scotland sit on top of Group B at the Rugby World Cup in England after surviving a fright against the United States at Leeds' Elland Road ground today.

Vern Cotter's side were big favourites against the Americans but they had to recover from going in at half-time 13-6 behind before eventually turning things around to win 39-16.

The Scots, who won the second half 33-3 after running in all five of their tries after the break, now have two wins from two at the World Cup after beating South Africa's conquerors Japan in their first game.

Alan MacGinty kicked the Americans into an early 3-0 lead with a penalty but this was quickly cancelled out by Stuart Hogg's effort.

Finn Russell then took over penalty duties for Scotland to make it 6-3 before the Americans stunned their opponents with the only try of the half.

The US rolled over the line with Titi Lamositele credited with the all-important touch and after MacGinty added the conversion, they had a 10-6 lead.

That turned into a 13-6 advantage when MacGinty dissected the posts with a penalty on the stroke of half-time but Cotter's team-talk must have been effective as Scotland emerged from the changing rooms in formidable form.

Matt Toomua goes over for a try in Australia's comfortable win over Uruguay ©Getty Images

Tim Visser finished off a slick move for an early try and although Russell missed the conversion, the Scots were in front after 47 minutes when Sean Maitland bagged their second try.

Russell converted this time for an 18-13 lead but the Americans managed to stay in touch with another MacGinty penalty which made it 18-16.

From then on though it was one-way traffic as WP Nel, Matt Scott and Duncan Weir all crossed to ensure a bonus point success.

All three tries were converted by Greig Laidlaw as the Americans slipped to their second defeat in two after an earlier reverse against Samoa.

South Africa sit second in the group with the Samoans third, with the top two reaching the quarter-finals.

Elsewhere, Australia were predictably comfortable winners against Uruguay as they triumphed 65-3 to go top of Group A.

The Wallabies ran in 11 tries at Villa Park in Birmingham, two of which came from Drew Mitchell who became his country's top try scorer at the World Cup with 12, breaking the record previously held by Chris Latham.

Ben McCalman and Sean McMahon also scored a pair of tries each, while Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Dean Mumm, Joseph Tomane and Henry Speight also crossed in the rout.

Quade Cooper was only successful with five conversions while a Felipe Berchesi penalty provided the sole points for the Uruguayans.

Australia now sit above Wales in Group A, with hosts England sitting third ahead of a crunch clash with the Australians on Saturday.

In the final game of the day, Ireland played Romania in front of a record Rugby World Cup crowd of 89,267 at Wembley Stadium in London.

The attendance broke the mark set last weekend when 89,019 saw New Zealand beat Argentina at the same venue, and those there today witnessed a 44-10 Irish victory which saw them go above France and top of Pool D.

Keith Earls and Tommy Bowe scored two tries each for the Irish, while Chris Henry and Rob Kearney also crossed the whitewash to add to four conversions and two penalties by Ian Madigan.

Ovidiu Tonita scored a consolation try for Romania, with a Florin Vlaicu conversion and a Valentin Calafeteanu penalty also adding to their tally.