England Saxons opened their Barclays Churchill Cup campaign with a convincing win over the USA in Ottawa.

Bath's Matt Banahan helped himself to a hat-trick as the Saxons overcame a slow start to run in eight tries.

Ryan Lamb added 19 points with the boot and England also benefited from a penalty try as they made an excellent start in Pool B.

The Saxons were not at their best in the first half but still did enough to open up a 24-7 lead after Banahan's first two and a further try for George Skivington.

Lamb opened the scoring with an early penalty before Banahan stretched over for the first try after 15 minutes following good work by Sale's Chris Jones.

Lamb's conversion gave the Saxons breathing space at 10-0 but the Eagles showed their teeth as Paul Emerick drove close.

The Saxons survived that attack but were caught out soon after as Gavin DeBartolo intercepted Ollie Smith and raced away to score in the corner despite a late effort by Tom Biggs.

Mike Hercus, who earlier missed a penalty attempt, reduced the deficit further by adding the extra two points.

The Saxons began to click into gear in the final 10 minutes of the opening period as Banahan pounced in the corner on a delicate chip over the defence by Lamb.

Only a last-ditch tackle by Chris Wyles prevented Smith grabbing another before the break but Skivington did score after being put into space by Anthony Allen.

The Americans capitulated in the second half with Allen adding to their woes within four minutes of the restart by finishing off a quick break after England recovered a loose ball.

Smith then put Banahan over for his hat-trick and Paul Hodgson found a gap to send Ben Foden racing clear for another touchdown.

The Americans conceded a penalty try with 10 minutes remaining before Biggs and Ugo Monye added further scores in the closing stages.

England Saxons 64 (24)
Tries: Banahan (3), Allen, Skivington, Foden, Penalty Try, Monye, Biggs, Monye
Cons: Lamb (8)
Pens: Lamb

USA 10 (7)
Tries: DeBartolo
Cons: Hercus
Pens: Hercus

England Saxons: Foden, Biggs, Smith, Allen, Banahan, Lamb, Hodgson, Lloyd, Chuter, Wilson, Blaze, Skivington, Jones,
Skinner, Crane.
Replacements: Titterrell, Forster, Guest, Robshaw, Armitage, Abendanon, Monye.

USA: Wyles, DeBartolo, Palefau, Emerick, Tuipulotu, Hercus, Petri, Clever, Bloomfield, Stanfill, van der Giessen, Weidemer,
Moeakiola, Crick, MacDonald.
Replacements: Laulaupealu, Slaby, Doyle, Lett, Shaw, Malifa, Esikia.

Referee: A McPherson (SRFU)