England Earns 9th Straight Win Against Physical Fiji

Autumn International 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 beat a tough Fiji side in their second fall test match.

The victory lengthens the English team's undefeated streak to nine matches and follows up their triumph over Australia the previous weekend.

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

Fly-half the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty to take the Fijians further clear before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to spark an exciting final forty minutes.

Replacements George and Henry Arundell, who demonstrated his blistering speed, touched down to take the English side clear.

Those scores came around Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli dropping the ball when attempting to score.

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

The English team now meet New Zealand next Saturday in their biggest challenge theoretically this autumn.

Prior to this meeting, England had won eight of their nine matches with Fiji – most recently taking a close contest in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.

That one defeat came just weeks before the competition in France and was a significant shift under Borthwick.

With the Pacific Islanders on a five-match winning run – their equal best run since 1999 – the fixture was always likely to be tight.

After smooth attacking phases, number eight Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker forced his way over for the first try from short distance, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul providing a quick response.

Known as the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through powerful first-half tackles in the center, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, used as a additional 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 cross-field kick by Smith to take England into the lead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a sin-binning following a bunker review.

The English team broke clear from the Wallabies last Saturday in the final quarter through the impact of their replacements that included multiple Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting lineup from the win over the Wallabies did grab the next try as the prop crossed following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles tendon against Italy in spring.

However, after a clever set piece was completed by Ikanivere, Borthwick unloaded several of his bench on the 54th minute – including Lions players Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the game still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out substitute the hooker's score.

Flanker Ben Earl, a try-scorer versus Australia, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to keep breathing room between the teams.

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

The substitute's speed to chase down a kick through showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential.

It is packed with stars and talent, which has helped secure victories in the final quarter that were lost against the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall.

Considering Scotland ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of sending a message next week.

If successful, the substitutes will probably 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)