England Secures 9th Consecutive 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 racked up 4 second-half tries to overcome a tough Fijian team in their second autumn international.

This win lengthens the English team's winning run to nine games and supports their triumph over the Wallabies last Saturday.

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

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

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to begin an thrilling final forty minutes.

Replacements Jamie George and Arundell, who demonstrated his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts clear.

Those scores came around Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when going for the tryline.

Skipper Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, secured the final try.

Borthwick's side now meet the All Blacks next Saturday in their toughest test on paper this fall.

Before this encounter, England had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 games with the Fijian side – most recently taking a close contest in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.

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

With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their joint longest run since the late nineties – the fixture was always expected to be competitive.

Following smooth attacking phases, back rower Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the first try from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a maul providing a swift reply.

Known as the flying Fijians, that was apparent in defense through monstrous first-half tackles in the center, with full-back Marcus Smith, used as a additional 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 touch down.

The winger sharply finished a cross-field kick by Smith to take England ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a video review.

The English team broke clear from Australia 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 win over the Wallabies did grab the following touchdown as the prop went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles tendon against the Italians in spring.

However, after a clever set piece was finished by the Fijian, Borthwick unloaded several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the match still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when stretching for the goal line to negate substitute the hooker's score.

Flanker Earl, a try-scorer against Australia, produced a stunning game-saving stop to maintain a narrow lead between the sides.

It topped off another all-round impressive display by Earl, who picked up back-to-back player-of-the-match awards.

Arundell's pace to chase down a kick through showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.

It is packed with stars and quality, which has helped secure wins in the final quarter that were lost against Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

Considering Scotland ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will feel confident of sending a message next week.

Should they win, the bench 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)