The USA Eagles kept their perfect record in the World Rugby Nations Cup with a dramatic 28-26 victory over Hong Kong China at Stade Marcel-Verchere in Bourg-en-Bresse, France, on Sunday.

The Eagles trailed late in a thriller between two sides bound for the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup. Replacement Kaleb Geiger barrelled over from close range with four minutes remaining to level the scores at 26-26, and Chris Hilsenbeck slotted the conversion in the 77th minute to win it.

Fourth straight Nations Cup win

The result made it four wins from four for the USA in the competition, after three home victories in July over Portugal, Zimbabwe and Spain. The Eagles' tries came from Geiger, Perry Mayo and Fa'anana-Schultz, plus a penalty try, with Hilsenbeck landing three conversions.

It was a gripping end to the fourth round of the Nations Cup, which also saw Tonga edge Romania 43-38, Georgia beat Canada 59-14, Samoa defeat Zimbabwe 43-7, Portugal overcome Chile 36-15 and Spain beat Uruguay 18-12.

Hong Kong China had arrived in France in form, having beaten Uruguay 42-40 in July, but the Eagles held their nerve in the closing minutes to protect an unbeaten run that now stretches across both phases of the competition.

The USA now travel to Bucharest to face Romania on Saturday, 14 November, before the final round of the competition in Georgia on 21 November.