England 28, USA 10.

Lawrence Dallaglio has called for a ''monumental performance'' next Friday night when misfiring England meet the might of South Africa.

On the evidence of another depressing 80 minutes in Lens though, the ailing world champions might as well not bother turning up.

England's sub-standard display at Stade Felix-Bollaert suggests they could even struggle to beat Samoa later this month, let alone the Springboks.

Defeats in both games would mean humiliation and an early World Cup exit.

Given that England had their work cut out subduing an American side assembled from clubs such as Park City Haggis, Gentlemen of Aspen and Dallas Athletic, South Africa need not bat an eyelid.

It was the same old depressing story as England somehow managed to 'draw' the second-half 7-7 after leading 21-3, and also inexplicably missed out on securing a winning bonus point.

Poor execution, a lack of composure, bad judgement - all factors behind England's tournament warm-up losses to France last month - let them down once more.

Dallaglio said: ''We are going to have to play a lot better against South Africa.We have to have a monumental performance next Friday. Physically and mentally, we need to climb several levels.

''We understand what we are trying to do in a game, but if we don't get our tactics right and we play like we did again by shovelling out bad passes and dropping the ball, then against a blitz defence like South Africa's we will be in a lot of trouble.

''It means cutting out the mistakes and playing with fire and passion in the belly you would expect from an England team against South Africa.''

Dallaglio's own acute sense of frustration surfaced nine minutes from time when he was sin-binned for chatting once too often with South African referee Jonathan Kaplan.

And barely had the Wasps number eight sat down, than Eagles' substitute prop Matekitonga Moeakiola crashed over for a try.

While New Zealand and Australia blitzed lesser-ranked opponents in their pool openers, scoring 167 points between them, England huffed and puffed to a tedious victory.

Olly Barkley, a convincing fly-half alternative to the injured Jonny Wilkinson, amassed 18 points through a try, three penalties and two conversions, while wing Jason Robinson and flanker Tom Rees also touched down.

Barkley, Rees and Robinson's fellow wing Josh Lewsey all delivered eye-catching displays, yet everything had to be gauged against the quality of opposition.

Barkley said: ''There were a variety of reasons - poor execution, poor communication and poor strategy. And we are aware of how we played. There is no point trying to put any sugar on top of the performance.

''As the tournament goes on, we are going to have to be a lot better than that. Our execution areas were unacceptable.''

England head coach Brian Ashton must urgently address critical departments such as a wayward lineout and a clear lack of physicality in the tackle area.

If England are so powder-puff in that key contact element at Stade de France on Friday, then South Africa will have them on toast.

Ashton added: ''We have one of the most massive games since I took over as England coach looming in five days' time.

''Mentally, there is a bit of work to do, but I imagine that playing against the green and gold of the Springboks will sharpen the senses.

''We have already done our analysis on South Africa two or three weeks ago.

''It is more a question of sitting down and thinking through the selection to get the right players on the field to play how we want against South Africa.''

Skipper Phil Vickery, whose immediate World Cup prospects hinge on the thoughts of match citing commissioner Steve Hinds after the Wasps prop tripped Eagles centre Paul Emerick, admitted there was no hiding place.

He said: ''After the game, sometimes you walk into the changing rooms and it is like a funeral.

''There are a lot of disappointed players, but we have to pick ourselves up and pull ourselves together.''