There's been no dispute as to who is the favorite when the USA has played England in the Rugby World Cup.

England has won all three previous games, and it's not been all that close ... but it's getting closer. 

The teams were in the same pool in 1987 when England won 34-6 in Sydney. Wing Mike Purcell, who later coached UC Davis to a national D1AA title, scored the USA's only try (four points per try remember), while England legend Peter Winterbottom scored two and fullback Jon Webb kicked 18 points.

Four years later the winning margin, 28 points, was equaled with England winning 37-9. But since this game was played at Twickenham, you have to give the Eagles a little kudos for hanging touch at England's HQ.

Ray Nelson, who had converted Purcell's try in 1987, scored the only try for the USA. Mark Williams converted and added a penalty. Another England legend, wing Rory Underwood, raced in for two tries while fullback Simon Hodgkinson kicked 17 points.

I told y’all I’d bring him around! @TomBrady #backtheboys @USARugbyPlayers @USARugby @rugbyworldcup #rugbyworldcup2019 #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/xSnI5HBNmB

— Nate Ebner (@NateEbner) September 25, 2019

So, pretty much two almost-blowouts. Fast forward to 2007, and in that game the USA was expected to lose by 40 to 70 points. It didn't happen that way. And if England captain Phil Vickery had been properly penalized for tripping Paul Emerick when Emerick was on a breakaway, it would have been closer.

As it was, prop Mate Moeakiola was shoved over the line for the USA's lone try, but the Americans hung tough, prevented England from getting four tries, and lost 28-10.

(Her'es Inaki Basauri giving Moeakiola a hug after the prop scored. Ian Muir photo.)

So that doesn't mean that this time it will be an eight-point game, but it's worth noting that this USA team is as together as any has been, and is as well-prepared as any has been in a World Cup. Gary Gold has picked a big, powerful front row in Titi Lamositele, Joe Taufete'e, and David Ainuu — this is a front row designed to maul, scrum, and not be stifled.

He has the in-form second row in Nick Civetta — the key to the Eagles lineout — and hardworking Ben Landry. Too bad Greg Peterson doesn't get a start, but he will be a superb impact sub.

?? It’s all led to this...
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Tonight’s the night that USA Rugby takes on England in their first matchup of the Rugby World Cup. To kick things off, check in with @USARugby Head Coach Gary Gold for his thoughts on how #MLRugby has helped grow the Eagles team. ⁣ pic.twitter.com/Z5V5GuTzOd

— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) September 26, 2019

Gold has picked grinders and grifters at flanker in Tony Lamborn and John Quill—tacklers, thieves, and ruckers. Cam Dolan is a very, very good all-around No. 8 and an automatic choice.

Out wide he's picked speed on the wings, with Marcel Brache at outside center to help Blaine Scully and Martin Iosefo on defense. He has picked a blunderbuss at inside center in Paul Lasike, and his job is to crush the will of the England midfield defense (yeah, good luck with that).

And then there's the kicking game. Will Hooley is solid at fullback for that, and Shaun Davies box kicks well at scrumhalf and loves to mix it up. And AJ MacGinty ... well there's a lot riding on him.

It's a team designed to handle England's power, England's kicking, and England's pace out wide. That can all work out fine, and England could still execute to the tune of 50 points.

But, maybe 28-10 is closer to the truth. Certainly the Eagles execute well in the maul, and they defend the maul, too. So they could come up with a couple of tries, and could force some errors on the England side. If that happens, then maybe the USA bench, with Mike Te'o, Bryce Campbell, Ruben de Haas, and Hanco Germishuys could explode onto the scene in the final 15 minutes and shock the world.

They will need a little help, though.