Sale replied with a late Dean Schofield score and conversion and four penalties from American fly-half Mike Hercus.

BBC: SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Saracens 32-19 Sale

Hercus skewed another penalty attempt wide from in front of the posts and was replaced soon after by Ata Malifa.

BBC: USA 10-27 Ireland

Hercus, 27, moved from Sale on a two-year deal last summer, but Stephen Jones' return to Stradey froze him out.

BBC: Dragons net USA duo and Scot prop

Keatley was successful with his second penalty attempt but USA fly-half Mike Hercus was off-target with three straightforward penalty efforts before the interval.

BBC: USA 10-27 Ireland

The Boks enjoyed territorial dominance as the half wore on but the US defended bravely and even trimmed the gap through a Hercus penalty.

BBC: South Africa 64-15 USA

Sale closed to 18-13 down when Hercus slotted the conversion and another penalty before Barkley settled Bath's nerves with three kicks of his own.

BBC: SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Bath 27-13 Sale

But Hercus finally found his range with a penalty on 36 minutes and when Lund scored a charge-down try two minutes later, there was hope for the league leaders.

BBC: SPORT | Rugby Union | English | Bath 27-13 Sale

The Eagles, boosted by a Hercus penalty just before the break, dominated for long periods of the second period and twice got back to within a score of their opponents.

BBC: USA 15-25 Tonga

He found Hercus in support and the fly-half looped out a sumptuous pass to right winger Ngwenya, who had half the length of the pitch to go and Habana to beat.

BBC: South Africa 64-15 USA