Best finish
The USA have played in all but one World Cup but have never made it past the pool stages. They have won three games in total from the six tournaments in which they have participated.
Last time
They lost to Ireland, Australia and Italy, but beat Russia in the clash of geopolitical titans to finish fourth in Pool C.
Coach
Mike Tolkin, who began coaching as a teenager and has also taught English literature, has been in charge for the past three years.
Key player
Samu Manoa, a No 8 from California, has just left Northampton after four years for Toulon. A powerful ball-carrier, he is also a tactically astute player, and can inspire his team to excel provided he does not have to expend all his energy in defence.
Strengths
They have a greater number of full-time players from whom to select than ever before, and are strong enough physically to live with the best teams in the tournament.
Weaknesses
While Tolkin is known for his attention to detail and will have his team as well prepared as possible, they can still be deficient in scrummaging. The squad is also patchy, with more talent behind the scrum than in it.
Prospects
They begin their campaign on Sunday against Samoa and may just push the islanders close. They then play Scotland and South Africa on successive Saturdays in games which should both be damage-limitation exercises, before ending up with their most winnable match, against Japan.
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