England Claims 9th Consecutive Win Over Tough Fijian Side

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 scored 4 tries after halftime to defeat a resilient Fijian team in their second fall test match.

The victory extends Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine matches and follows up their win over the Wallabies the previous weekend.

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

Number ten Muntz missed both conversions but slotted a penalty to take the Fijians further ahead before Feyi-Waboso scored.

Prop Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to begin an entertaining final forty minutes.

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

These tries came either side of Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli spilling the ball when going for the tryline.

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

The English team now meet New Zealand next Saturday in their toughest test theoretically this autumn.

Before this match, the English team had won 8 of their nine matches 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 tournament in France and was a major turning point under the head coach.

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

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

Known as the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defense through monstrous first-half midfield hits, with full-back Smith, used as a second playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the first forty as offloads sliced through the English defense for the fly-half to touch down.

The winger sharply finished a kick across the field by Fin Smith to take the hosts into the lead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a bunker review.

England broke clear from the Wallabies last Saturday in the final quarter through the power of their replacements that contained six Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting lineup from the win over the Australians did grab the next try as the prop went over following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles tendon against the Italians in spring.

However, after a smart set piece was finished by Ikanivere, Borthwick introduced five of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the game still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half the halfback lost control of the ball when reaching for the tryline to cancel out replacement the hooker's score.

Breakdown specialist Earl, a try-scorer versus Australia, produced a stunning game-saving stop to keep a narrow lead between the teams.

It capped another outstanding overall display by Earl, who received consecutive player-of-the-match awards.

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

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

Given the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident of making a big statement next week.

If successful, the substitutes will probably 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)