England Claims Ninth Consecutive Victory Over Physical 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

The English squad scored 4 tries after halftime to defeat a resilient Fijian team in their second autumn international.

This win extends Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and supports their triumph over Australia last Saturday.

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

Fly-half Muntz failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty goal to take the visitors further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored.

Prop Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to begin an exciting second half.

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

Those scores came around Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when attempting to score.

England captain 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 encounter, England had claimed victory in eight of their nine matches with Fiji – most lately taking 30-24 in the quarter-finals 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-match winning run – their equal best run since the late nineties – the game was always expected to be hard-fought.

After smooth attacking phases, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the first try from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a maul providing a quick response.

Known as the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through powerful first-half tackles in the center, with full-back Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the opening half as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for Muntz to score.

Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take England into the lead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a video review.

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

A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Australians did score the following touchdown as Genge went over following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles against Italy in March.

However, after a clever set piece was finished by Ikanivere, the coach introduced several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the match still in the balance, Fijian number nine the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to negate substitute George's try.

Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, a try-scorer versus 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 received consecutive player-of-the-match awards.

Arundell's pace to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential.

It is packed with stars and quality, which has helped secure wins in the final quarter that were squandered versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

Given the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, the English team will fancy their chances of sending a message this weekend.

If successful, the substitutes will likely 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)