By Reece Killworth

80 min: Traille pumps the ball deep into American territory after his pack get a shove on from the scrum. American win the line-out, though, and Sherman opts to kick ahead. Yachvili does likewise, though, and when his effort finds touch, referee Honiss calls a halt to proceedings.

79 min: Unsurprisingly Hodges picks up and goes from the back of the scrum. It's worked through the three-quarters but Sherman knocks on.

79 min: America hold firm at the scrum but as it flicks out the back, Yachvili is in quickly. He just knocks on, though, so it's America's put-in again.

78 min: Merceron misses touch with a kick downfield from the scrum and Buccholz brings it forward. The ball gets stuck in the ruck and Honiss gives the put-in to the Americans.

77 min: America work a nice move from the subsequent line-out, using their backs out wide. Gouws is in the line as well, but he knocks forward five metres out. Scrum to France.

76 min: Penalty to America with stray hands in the ruck from France. Chabal is sent to the sin by Honiss, who has lost his patience with the infringements at the ruck.

75 min: Sherman is back into the action, this time Hercus is the man to make way.

74 min: France get the drive on too early at the scrum and America are able to clear. Hercus' kick is returned by Bory but Marconnet knocks on in support and the penalty comes as Bru dives off his feet at the ruck.

73 min: France get the shove on and get to within a meter of the France line. Yachvili tries an audacious flick inside, but no-one is there and it bounces forward. Scrum to America.

73 min: America bring Matthew Wyatt on for Kirk Khasigian.

72 min: Penalty to France as America transgress at the scrum. Traille kicks downfield, finding a good touch down the right.

71 min: America win good line-out ball but as Eloff comes into the three-quarter line he knocks on.

70 min: Messy line-out ball for France but Poitrenaud is able to clean it up. He works it wide through the backs but as he comes around on the loop, is forced over the touchline.

69 min: Scrappy play from both sides as the ball goes to ground. Eventually, the penalty comes to America with Auradou penalised.

69 min: Schubert gathers the ball from the line-out but it's not in straight. France opt for the scrum.

68 min: France turn it over at the ruck and Yachvili hoists a kick out wide. Bory is chasing it down, but he can't get there as it sails out on the full. America bring Jason Keyter on for Sika.

67 min: Bru can't get the ball in straight and America opt for the scrum. France get a shove on but Hodges again does well to pick it up and go around the short side.

66 min: There's hands in the ruck from America so it's France's penalty just inside the America half. Merceron pumps the ball into touch on the brink of America's 22.

65 min: Alec Parker wins the line-out but Timoteo knocks it on as he tries to gather.

64 min: Penalty to America on France 10m line as Yachvili is penalised for a high tackle on Eloff. Hercus finds touch down the left.

63 min: DROP GOAL - YACHVILI. France manage to turn the ball over at a ruck and Yachvili slots over a drop goal.

63 min: America bring Jacob Waasdorp on for Dan Dorsey.

62 min: Hercus finds touch down the right.

61 min: France get a huge shove on from the scrum but as the ball pops out the side it hits referee Honiss' foot and he calls for a reset scrum. Milloud is pinged at the second scrum as his bindings falter.

60 min: France work the ball wide after gathering in the knock-on but there's an accidental offside as they get to within five metres of the American line.

59 min: America win the all on their own scrum but Timoteo and Buchholz have a breakdown in communications with the full-back knocking on.

58 min: Chabal wins the line-out, but it's not in straight. Scrum down, America put-in.

57 min: Hodges has to pick up and go from the back of the scrum as France get the shove on. Hercus opts to kick ahead but it's easily gathered and France come again. Chabal bursts down the short side but his flicked pass inside is intercepted by Luke Gross. Hercus hurries a kick into touch.

56 min: Auradou just manages to scrabble the ball back on the French side from the line-out and they get the drive on. It's spun out to the backs with Poitrenaud in the line. He flicks it back inside to Elhorga on the burst, but he knocks on.

55 min: America manage to get the ball back on their side from the restart, but Schubert goes into the side of a ruck and Paul Honiss pings him.

54 min: CONVERSION - MERCERON. A routine conversion for the France fly-half.

53 min: TRY - BRU. France's restart is diverted out of play for a line-out by an American hand. France work it well and when Chabal comes forward from the line, he merely flicks it back to Bru, who crashes over unchallenged.

52 min: CONVERSION - HERCUS. Hercus settles himself and slots over the conversion.

51 min: TRY - HERCUS. Patrick Tabacco plucks the ball in the line-out but Poitrenaud's kick downfield is horribly sliced. Van Zyl is on the burst out wide but he is held up five metres out. America recycle it through their forwards before looking to work it through the midfield. Hercus is in the line and flicks a dummy inside before crashing over.

50 min: Yachvili hoists a kick over the top from just outside his own 22 but Chabal has got ahead of the kicker and it's a penalty to America. Hercus chips it into touch down the left.

49 min: Merceron brings his kick around nicely with the wind, bust just fails to get enough distance.

48 min: TRY - LIEBENBERG. France slap the ball back from the line-out and Labit comes forward before flicking it inside to Sylvain Marconnet. He gets to within a metre and France work it wide, where they have numbers. Liebenberg is the man to crash over, completing a hat-trick.

47 min: Good line-out ball for America and they work a nice move in midfield with Mose Timoteo coming round on the loop. Phillip Eloff and Hercus have crossed, though, so it's France's penalty and Yachvili pumps it into touch.

47 min: Penalty to America as Olivier Milloud is penalised for driving in at an angle. Hercus chips the ball into touch down the right.

46 min: Chabal's poor handling lets him down again as France look to work a move from the back of the scrum. Buchholz is back out of the blood bin for America.

45 min: Scrum to France from the restart as they get it back on their side and do enough to convince the referee that they should have the put-in.

44 min: America bring Matt Sherman on, with Buchholz making way.

43 min: CONVERSION - HERCUS. Hercus adds the extras.

42 min: TRY - SCHUBERT. After America retain the ball through several phases, Salesi Sika powers forward and flicks it up for Buccholz in support. He gets to within a metre before America recycle it. A couple of bursts forward come to nothing and as they work it wide, Schubert is in the line to crash over unchallenged.

41 min: Merceron's first kick of the half finds touch down the left, but America retain the ball from the line-out and get good ball in midfield before working it out wide to Fee. He gathers at the second attempt and America recycle it well.

41 min: Hercus gets play under way again after the interval but it's well claimed by Labit.

HT: France 26 USA 0.

40 min: Yachvili gathers the restart and brings it forward down the right. He's forced into touch, though, and that's the last act of the half.

40 min: PENALTY - MERCERON. An easy three points for Merceron from in front of the posts.

39 min: Free-kick to France as America transgress at the scrum. The Eagles turn it over in the contact but they've done so illegally with Dave Hodges putting a hand in on the ground. Penalty to France 10 or so metres out and Merceron will go for goal.

38 min: Auradou wins the line-out at the front and France rumble forward. They eventually opt to work it through the backs but as it comes back on the inside Bru knocks on. America pick it up and look expansively, but Elhorga intercepts with the tryline gaping. The referee pulls it back for the knock-on, though, so America are in the clear.

37 min: France get the shove on at the scrum and Mike MacDonald is penalised for losing his bindings. Merceron pumps the ball into touch down the left.

36 min: Hercus switches the restart but Traille is able to shepherd it back on the French side. Yachvili kicks ahead to Buchholz, who gathers and brings it forward. He takes the tackle but has no support and spills it forward in the contact.

35 min: Merceron shanks his kick horribly, although the wind probably paid a part.

34 min: TRY - POUX. France win the line-out and get the rolling maul going towards the American line. The secondary drive goes around to the left of the maul and Jean-Baptiste Poux is the man with ball in hand when the French pack rumbles over the line.

33 min: After winning the line-out, France recycle it through a couple of phases before Yachvili hoists a kick over to the opposite side. The bounce beats Elhorga and it's flicked out of play by Fee for a French line-out.

32 min: Brouzet wins the ball from the line-out and France get the rolling maul on. As the ball escapes, Christian Labit fails to spot it and Gouws dives on it and gets it back on his side. It's worked to Hercus and he finds touch down the right.

31 min: Auradou wins the line-out ball against the throw and France spin it through midfield. Merceron dummies and goes before his forwards arrive in support. France keep patience through six or seven phases but there's a penalty to them as Merceron is illegally pulled into the ruck. The fly-half finds touch on the USA five metre line.

30 min: A dreadful kick aimed at touch by Yachvili is gathered by the Americans five metres inside the touchline but at the first contact it's turned over by France. They work it out wide to the left where Poitrenaud makes a burst outside. He flicks it inside to Yachvili in support. He nips into the corner and over the line but appears to have a foot in touch. After going to the TV referee, it's no try.

29 min: The ball comes back on the French side from the scrum, but Liebenberg knocks on in midfield. America recycle the ball well through 10 or so phases, making ground into the French half. Gouws holds on in the tackle, though, so it's a penalty to France.

29 min: Lyle is indeed leaving the field, and Jurie Gouws is the man to replace him.

29 min: Lyle is down again - this time after taking a crashing blow from one of his team-mates. The medics are treating him, although this could well mark the end of his participation.

28 min: America win the line-out but Hercus opts to kick ahead. Yachvili is there first but doesn't really go with any commitment. An American hand is there, but knocks forward.

27 min: The ball is slapped back on the French side and Bru gathers it. He looks to break down the touchline but just puts a foot out of play.

26 min: Good line-out ball for the French but this time America are able to turn it over. Lyle comes forward and lays a base before it's worked out to Riaan van Zyl. He kicks ahead but finds touch on the full.

25 min: Yachvili pumps the ball into touch down the right.

24 min: Schubert wins clean line-out ball for America and they get the shove on with their forwards. Buchholz comes in on the crash ball in midfield but is all wrapped up and France are able to turn it over. The penalty comes with America caught offside.

23 min: France go for a short line-out and win it. It's scrappy ball but Yachvili finds a superb touch down the left.

22 min: America go for a training-ground routine from the penalty but David Fee is driven into touch within inches of the France line. Great tackling from the French defence.

21 min: David Auradou slaps the ball back on the French side, but it's messy ball and America turn it over up front. Hercus bursts through to five metres out and it's recycled wide. The attack falters and the referee calls it back for a penalty to America in front of the posts.

21 min: Chabal knocks the restart on and France they transgress at the ruck, presenting American with a penalty. Hercus finds touch down the left inside the France 22.

20 min: CONVERSION - MERCERON. Merceron makes up for his earlier missed conversion by slotting this one over.

19 min: TRY - LIEBENBERG. France win yet more ball from the American scrum as they get the shove on and it pops out of the side. Yachvili runs around the back of the scrum and finds Chabal, who powers forward. The ball is worked wide again and Liebenberg is there to crash over in almost an identical position to his first try.

19 min: France work the ball quickly from the scrum but Damien Traille knocks on in midfield.

19 min: France get a huge shove on from the scrum and get the ball back on their side. Yachvili kicks ahead over the top, but the referee pulls it back, giving France the put-in at the scrum.

18 min: Lyle is back on his feet and is determined to continue. He looks a little dazed, but the American medical man has given him the green light to continue.

18 min: Lyle is still down receiving treatment after that huge tackle, while Kevin Dalzell has been sent to the blood bin.

17 min: America win good line-out ball, but it's quickly turned over in by France as Lyle is on the end of a huge hit. Elhorga bursts forward with ball in hand from well inside his own half to the verge of the American 22 but he spills it forward attempting to flick it out wide.

16 min: Lyle is first to the restart and claims it superbly. Schubert takes it forward into the France 22 and it's worked wide into the backs. Hercus spills it forward in the tackle, though, and Brouzet is able to gather it. The ball is flicked back to Yachvili and he is able to find a good touch down the left.

15 min: Merceron fails to convert.

14 min: TRY - LIEBENBERG. Poitrenaud makes a brilliant run after France work a move from the back of the scrum. The full-back breaks from halfway well into the American 22 before he is finally pulled down. France have numbers on the left and when the ball comes quickly, it's through a couple of pairs of hands to Brian Liebenberg, who crashes over from close range.

13 min: Hercus spirals a kick down the left which Elhorga gathers well. The Americans have again run in front of the kicker, so it's a penalty to France just inside their own half.

12 min: Hercus fails to find his touch and Elhorga brings it forward. The ruck forms and an American hand knocks it forward. Scrum to France, but they transgress so it's a free-kick to America.

11 min: France claim the restart well and get the rolling maul going. Dmitri Yachvili bursts down the blind side and finds Sebastien Chabal. He goes forward and flicks it back to Yachvili, but the penalty comes to America as France transgress at the ruck.

10 min: PENALTY - MERCERON. Another cool penalty slotted over by Merceron.

9 min: France spin it wide to the left before quickly recycling it and sending it back over to the right. Their expansive play comes to nothing as Pepito Elhorga knocks on, but there's been an offside in midfield from the Americans. Another kickable penalty for France.

8 min: Poitrenaud pumps the ball downfield after the scrum is again flicked into his path. It'll be France's throw, though, as John Buchholz touched it before it crossed the line.

8 min: Lyle claims line-out ball at the back, but it's not in straight. The wind is causing havoc with the hookers' throws.

7 min: Hercus finds his touch down the left.

6 min: Schubert wins the line-out ball and work it through a couple of phases before Hercus kicks ahead. It's a poor kick, but the referee has pulled it back as France have failed to roll away in the tackle. Penalty to America on halfway.

5 min: France work the ball quickly to Clement Poitrenaud, who is in the fly-half slot, and he finds a good touch down the right.

4 min: The French fail to gather the restart cleanly and Dan Lyle bursts onto it. He knocks forward as attempts to gather, though, so it'll be France's put-in at a scrum inside their own 22.

3 min: PENALTY - MERCERON. Merceron opens his - and France's - account with a cool penalty.

2 min: Olivier Brouzet wins the line-out, but Yannick Bru hasn't thrown it in straight. Scrum to America. France get the push on and manage to hook the ball back on their side. They work it out wide and recycle it back on the inside through their forwards. The penalty comes with America caught offside just outside their own 22.

1 min: The strong wind has an immediate effect as the States fail to gather the kick-off. Kort Schubert is able to come through the line-out after France win it, though, and America break. Mike Hercus opts to kick ahead from his own 10m line, but there's a man in front of him and it's France's penalty. Merceron finds touch.

0 min: France get the game under way with Gerald Merceron - in for the tournament's top-scorer Frederic Michalak - kicking downfield.

Pre-match: A France second-string team has the responsibility of ensuring Les Bleus march into the quarter-finals with four wins from four, but they face an American team determined to continue their impressive tournament. Bernard Laporte has rested all of his first-choice 15, with David Bory in the side just 48 hours after arriving as the injured Xavier Garbajosa's replacement.