Bristol Shoguns proved too strong for the US Eagles in their warm-up game at the Memorial Stadium.

The Americans face Spain in Madrid on Saturday in the first leg of their final World Cup qualifying round and head coach Tom Billups ensured he did not risk too many of his key players at the end of their week-long training camp in this country.

The visitors led 7-5 at the interval after a try from wing Riaan van Zyl, who raced in from the 22 to score under the posts, was converted by fly-half Kain Cross. The Shoguns replied through a late try from centre Phil Christophers.

In the second half, the Shoguns scored three tries in quick succession and without reply through wing Brendon Daniel, Christophers and centre Andrew Higgins, with fly-half Shane Drahm converting two.

Then replacement centre Mike Hercus converted his own try and van Zyl's second touchdown to narrow the arrears to three points.

But on the stroke of full-time flanker Micahel Lipman raced away for the Shoguns' fifth try, converted by Matt Carrington.

Billups said: "We are grateful to the Rugby Football Union and to the Bristol club for arranging this game as part of our build-up to the two games against Spain.

"Performance rather than outcome was our objective from this game. It is difficult for us to get a decent training camp set-up back in the States so coming over here has enable us to try out difference aspects of our game."

Shoguns coaching co-ordinator Jimmy Grant said of the Eagles: "I've seen them in other World Cup games and I think that they will get that final place in Pool B in Australia later this year.

"The objective of this game was the outcome and not the process which was pretty good, especially in the second half. The opening 15 minutes of the second half showed promise which is when we scored three tries."

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