England Earns 9th Straight Victory Against Tough 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

The English squad racked up four second-half tries to overcome a resilient Fiji side in their second autumn international.

This win continues the English team's winning run to nine matches and follows up their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend.

The home side got on the board first through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with scores by Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Number ten the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but kicked a penalty goal to take the Fijians further clear before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Prop Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to ignite an thrilling final forty minutes.

Substitutes Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who displayed his scintillating pace, touched down to take the hosts into a comfortable lead.

These tries came around Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when attempting to score.

England captain Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, secured the last touchdown.

The English team now play the All Blacks this coming weekend in their biggest challenge theoretically this autumn.

Before this match, the English team had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 matches with the Fijian side – most recently winning a close contest in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.

Their sole loss came two months prior the tournament in France and was a significant shift under the head coach.

With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their equal best run since the late nineties – the fixture was always expected to be tight.

Following smooth attacking phases, back rower Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the opening score from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul adding a quick response.

Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was apparent in defence through huge first-half tackles in the center, with number fifteen Smith, used as a second playmaker, in especial targeted.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the opening half as offloads cut England's defence open for the fly-half to touch down.

Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a kick across the field by Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a sin-binning following a bunker review.

England broke clear from Australia the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the power of their replacements that contained six British and Irish Lions.

A significantly altered starting XV from the win over the Wallabies did grab the next try as the prop crossed following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles tendon versus the Italians in March.

Nonetheless, after a clever set piece was finished by the Fijian, Borthwick introduced several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions tourists Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the game still up for grabs, Fijian number nine the halfback lost control of the ball when reaching for the goal line to cancel out replacement George's try.

Breakdown specialist Earl, a try-scorer against Australia, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to keep breathing room between the sides.

It capped another outstanding overall performance by Earl, who received consecutive man of the match honors.

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

It is full of top players and quality, which has helped secure wins in the closing stages that were lost versus the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall.

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

If successful, the substitutes will likely again be crucial.

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)