THE Scotland camp faces an anxious 24 hours before learning whether Finn Russell will be fit to face South Africa on Saturday after the playmaker injured an ankle during yesterday’s 39-16 win over the United States. Russell was helped off the pitch in the second half and was later seen clutching an ice pack to his leg.

Grant Gilchrist is the other main injury concern after being forced off midway through the first half with a suspected upper-leg injury. True to habit, however, Vern Cotter, the head coach, refused to speculate on the likelihood that either the lock or the stand-off would miss the potential Pool B decider against the Springboks.

“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, scoring five tries to claim a bonus point for the second game in succession. The result takes them back to the top of 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.”

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.”