England Earns 9th Consecutive Victory Over Tough 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 4 tries after halftime to beat a tough Fiji side in their second fall test match.

The victory lengthens Steve Borthwick's side'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 the visitors answered back with tries by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Number ten Muntz failed to convert either try but nailed a penalty to take the visitors further ahead before Feyi-Waboso scored.

Prop Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to ignite an thrilling second half.

Replacements George and Henry Arundell, who demonstrated his blistering speed, touched down to take the English side into a comfortable lead.

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

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

Borthwick's side now meet the All Blacks next Saturday in their biggest challenge theoretically this autumn.

Prior to this match, England had claimed victory in 8 of their nine games with Fiji – most lately taking a close contest in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.

That one defeat came two months prior the tournament in Europe and was a significant shift under Borthwick.

With Fiji on a five-game streak – their equal best run since 1999 – the game was always likely to be competitive.

After slick phase play, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker barged over for the first try from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul providing a quick response.

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

But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the standout moment in the opening half as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for Muntz to touch down.

Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a kick across the field by Smith to take England ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a video review.

England broke clear from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the strength of their replacements that contained six British and Irish Lions.

A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Wallabies did score the following touchdown as the prop crossed following a strong carry by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles versus Italy in spring.

However, after a clever line-out move was completed by Ikanivere, the coach unloaded five of his bench on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the match still up for grabs, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when reaching for the goal line to cancel out replacement George's try.

Breakdown specialist Earl, who scored against the Wallabies, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to keep breathing room between the sides.

It capped another outstanding overall display by the flanker, 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 helped secure victories in the final quarter that were squandered versus Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

Considering Scotland 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 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)