England Earns Ninth Straight Win Over 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

The English squad scored four second-half tries to defeat a resilient Fiji side in their latest fall test match.

The victory lengthens the English team's undefeated streak to nine matches and follows up their win 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.

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

Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to spark an exciting final forty minutes.

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

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

Skipper Itoje, who also came off the bench, secured the final try.

The English team now meet New Zealand next Saturday in their toughest test on paper this fall.

Prior to this encounter, England had won 8 of their nine games with Fiji – most recently winning 30-24 in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.

Their sole loss came just weeks before the competition in France and was a significant shift under Borthwick.

With Fiji on a five-game streak – their joint longest streak since 1999 – the game was always likely to be tight.

Following smooth attacking phases, back rower Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker barged over for the first try from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul adding a quick response.

Known as the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defense through powerful first-half midfield hits, with full-back Marcus Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the standout moment in the opening half as offloads sliced through the English defense for the fly-half to score.

Feyi-Waboso sharply finished a cross-field kick by Smith to take England ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a video review.

The English team pulled away from Australia last Saturday in the final quarter through the impact of their replacements that contained multiple Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting XV from the win over the Australians did grab the following touchdown as Genge crossed following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles tendon versus Italy in spring.

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

With the match still in the balance, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out replacement George's try.

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

It topped off another outstanding overall performance by the flanker, who picked up consecutive man of the match honors.

The substitute's speed to race on to a kick through showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.

It is packed with top players and quality, which has helped secure victories in the closing stages that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

Given Scotland ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will feel confident 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)