England got off to a winning start in the latest round of the World Sevens Series in Hing Kong with a seven-try rout of Japan.

Simon Amor finished with 22 points, from two tries and six conversions, as Joe Lydon's side avoided the ignominy of an opening-day defeat to lowly opposition - a fate suffered by Scotland earlier in the afternoon.

Portugal embarrassed a largely amateur Scotland outfit by securing a vital 26-14 win to leave Mark Lee's side with an uphill task if they are to qualify for the Plate championship.

But Amor ensured no such fate befell England after Richard Haughton had scored a blistering opener in the second minute.

The Saracens man skipped out of two challenges to sprint 70 yards and finish a marvellous try under the posts.

Amor slotted the conversion and then scored a super double, the second a dashing run and slide down the touchline, to give England a comfortable advantage as Japan rarely threatened to breach their solid defence.

Ben Gollings then added England's fifth try as Lydon made a number of substitutions to save key men for tomorrow's crucial clash with Pool F top seeds Argentina.

Two of the replacements got on the scoresheet with Gloucester's James Simpson-Daniel crossing either side of a Tony Roque score.

Simpson-Daniel has been one of England's most improved players during the IRB World Sevens Series and capped off his performance by squeezing free of two defenders to touch down for his second try of the night.

Amor slotted over the conversion to send the healthy contingent of England supporters off to the bars of Hong Kong happy.

Earlier Scotland were left red-faced after Portugal ran in four tries - two in the first three minutes - en route to victory.

A blistering score from Charlie Keenan briefly reduced the arrears, but Portugal struck back twice to put the game out of sight.

Captain Mark Lee crossed in the closing seconds but the game was up for Scotland, whose hopes of qualifying for the Plate competition now look slim.

They must either beat the mighty New Zealand or hope Portugal lose to Sri Lanka to stand any chance, and Lee was disappointed with the efforts of a side he believes are capable of far more.

"We prepared well for the game but didn't take those preparations onto the pitch," he said.

"I'm disappointed because I know we can play better. It shows that the level of competition is a lot higher than we usually play and it's about adjusting to that