SCOTLAND won with a bonus point for the second time in two pool games at the Rugby World Cup yesterday, beating the United States 39-16.

The victory put Vern Cotter’s team back on top of Pool B, but it came at a price, as both Finn Russell and Grant Gilchrist are doubtful with injuries for Saturday’s crunch match against South Africa.

Gilchrist came off midway through the first half with a hip injury, while Russell gave way to Glasgow team-mate Duncan Weir after an hour because of ankle damage.

Head coach Cotter refused to speculate on how bad either injury was, and a medical update is expected later today.

“We’ll have to wait 24 hours before we get anything on Finn and Grant,” Cotter said.

“Both of those players have knocks and bumps, so we’ll need to have a look.

“Grant, we’re not sure yet. It might be an adductor injury, we’re not sure. You have to wait 24 hours, I’m sorry, it’s never very accurate right now.”

After a patchy first half which ended with the Americans 13-6 ahead, Scotland put in an excellent second 40 minutes, scoring five tries to claim a bonus point for the second game in succession.

The result gives them ten points out of a possible ten in the pool, in which each team has now played two and has two to play.

“We’re very happy to get the win and the bonus point,” Cotter added. “We weren’t particularly accurate in the first 40 - scoring early in the second half got us back on track. We managed to build through a reasonably difficult day of rugby with a win.

“We found a way to win. Seven down at half-time, it’s always nice to turn things around. It shows that the players are finding a way to win, which is important. We managed to wear down the States team, who were well prepared and very physical.

“Look, we’ve got through those two matches. We’ve played some reasonable rugby, adapted to difficult situations. The guys can take a bit of self-belief into the next two games. That will be important.”

After the match full-back Stuart Hogg said that Cotter’s half-time talk had woken the team up. “We got a good kick up the backside at half-time and you saw how well we played in the second half,” the Warriors No 15 said.

“The boys know when we’re going well and we know when things perhaps aren’t going for us. They certainly weren’t going for us in that first half, but we didn’t need to be told.

“Yes, there were a few words spoken but the lads knew what was required after the break. We’re an honest group and certain boys like different things. We all knew it hadn’t been good enough but I think we put that right after the break.”

Having also lost to Samoa, the Americans look set to finish bottom of the pool. Their captain, Chris Wyles, accepted that, while his own side had competed well, Scotland had simply been superior.

“They took hold of the second half and won it comfortably,” he said. “We simply weren’t good enough in the second half. I don’t think the scoreline is that harsh.”