Bristol winger Dan Norton scored a blistering hat-trick as England opened their Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens campaign with a 40-12 victory over the United States.

The 21-year-old was too hot for the American defence to handle and his three tries inside five first-half minutes, two of which came from searing midfield breaks, set England on course for a comfortable win.

The United States hit back immediately after the restart but England were never in trouble, with captain Kevin Barrett, veteran Ben Gollings and Bristol winger Matt Turner all scoring.

World Cup winners Wales were beaten 28-14 by the world series champions South Africa despite a brave fightback inspired by winger Alex Cuthbert.

The Springboks raced into a 21-0 lead before Cuthbert, a student at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, beat two men on a scorching outside break to relieve nearly seven minutes of unbroken pressure with a dazzling solo try.

Cuthbert then sent Lloyd Williams over for Wales' second try but their hopes of snatching a draw were dashed by a late individual score from South Africa's Mzwandile Stick.

Scotland were soundly beaten 47-12 by a strong Fiji side in the tournament's opening fixture.

Stephen Gemmell's men are in a tough group and they followed that opening disappointment with a 36-7 defeat at the hands of Samoa, with Andrew Turnbull scoring Scotland's consolation try.

England continued to march on after wearing down a physical Russian side to register a 28-0 victory, with tries from Gollings, Isoa Damudamu and a brace from Blackheath winger Dan Caprice.