England Claims Ninth Consecutive Victory Over Tough Fiji

Quilter Nations 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 four tries after halftime to beat a tough Fiji side in their latest fall test match.

This win extends the English team's undefeated streak to nine matches and backs up their triumph over Australia last Saturday.

The home side opened the scoring through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with tries by Ikanivere and Muntz.

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

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to ignite an exciting second half.

Replacements George and Henry Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts 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, scored the last touchdown.

The English team now meet the All Blacks this coming weekend in their biggest challenge on paper this fall.

Before this meeting, England had claimed victory in eight of their nine matches with Fiji – most lately taking a close contest in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.

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

With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their equal best streak since the late nineties – the fixture was always expected to be tight.

Following slick phase play, back rower Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker forced his way over for the opening score from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul providing a swift reply.

Known as the flying Fijians, that was apparent in defence through huge opening period midfield hits, with full-back Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in especial targeted.

But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the opening half as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for the fly-half to touch down.

The winger expertly collected a kick across the field by Fin Smith to take England ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a bunker review.

England broke clear from Australia last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the impact of their replacements that included six Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting lineup from the win over the Wallabies did score the next try as Genge went over following a strong carry by Ollie 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 completed by the Fijian, Borthwick unloaded several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions players Pollock and Curry.

With the match still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half the halfback lost control of the ball when stretching for the goal line to cancel out replacement the hooker's score.

Breakdown specialist Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to keep a narrow lead between the teams.

It capped another outstanding overall performance by the flanker, who received back-to-back player-of-the-match awards.

The substitute's speed to chase down a kick through showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential.

It is packed with top players and talent, which has aided in wins in the final quarter that were squandered against Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

Considering Scotland ran New Zealand close, the English team will fancy their chances of sending a message next week.

Should they win, the bench 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)