England Secures Ninth Consecutive Victory Over Physical Fiji

Quilter Nations Series

England (14) 38

Tries: Cowan-Dickie, Feyi-Waboso, Genge, George, Arundell, Itoje Cons: F Smith 5

Fiji (13) 18

Tries: Ikanivere 2, Muntz Pen: Muntz

England racked up four tries after halftime to overcome a resilient Fijian team in their second autumn international.

This win lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and backs up their triumph over the Wallabies last Saturday.

The home side opened the scoring through hooker Cowan-Dickie before the visitors answered back with scores by Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Number ten Muntz failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty goal to take the visitors further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to begin an entertaining final forty minutes.

Substitutes George and Arundell, who demonstrated his scintillating pace, touched down to take the hosts clear.

These tries came around Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when going for the tryline.

England captain Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, grabbed the last touchdown.

Borthwick's side now face the All Blacks this coming weekend in their biggest challenge on paper this fall.

Prior to this encounter, the English team had won eight of their 9 matches with the Fijian side – most recently winning 30-24 in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.

Their sole loss came two months prior the competition in Europe and was a significant shift under Borthwick.

With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their joint longest run since the late nineties – the game was always likely to be tight.

Following slick phase play, back rower Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the opening score from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul providing a swift reply.

Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through powerful opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in particular picked out.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the opening half as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for Muntz to score.

The winger sharply finished a kick across the field by Smith to take the hosts into the lead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a video review.

England pulled away from the Wallabies last Saturday in the final quarter through the impact of their replacements that included six British and Irish Lions.

A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Australians did grab the next try as the prop went over following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles tendon against the Italians in March.

However, after a clever set piece was completed by Ikanivere, the coach introduced several of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions tourists Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the match still up for grabs, Fijian number nine the halfback fumbled of the ball when reaching for the tryline to cancel out substitute the hooker's score.

Breakdown specialist Earl, a try-scorer versus the Wallabies, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to maintain a narrow lead between the sides.

It capped another outstanding overall display by Earl, who received consecutive player-of-the-match awards.

The substitute's speed to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential.

It is packed with top players and talent, which has aided in victories in the closing stages that were squandered against the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn.

Given the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of making a big statement this weekend.

Should they win, the substitutes will likely play another key factor.

England: M Smith; Freeman, Lawrence, Dingwall, Feyi-Waboso; F Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Heyes, Coles, Chessum, Pepper, Earl, Cunningham-South

Replacements: George, Baxter, Opoku-Fordjour, Itoje, T Curry, Pollock, Spencer, Arundell

Fiji: Rayasi; Ravutaumada, Ravouvou, Tuisova, Wainiqolo; Muntz, Kuruvoli; Mawi, Ikanivere, Doge, Nasilasila, Mayanavanua, Sowakula, Canakaivata, Mata

Replacements: Togiatama, Hetet, Tawake, Vocevoce, Murray, Wye, Armstrong-Ravula, Maqala

Sin-bin: Ravutaumada

Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)

Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan)

Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)