The English Team Earns Ninth Straight 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 notched four second-half tries to beat a resilient Fiji side in their latest fall test match.

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

England got on the board first through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with scores by Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Fly-half the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but slotted a penalty goal to take the Fijians further clear before Feyi-Waboso scored.

Prop Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to spark an thrilling final forty minutes.

Replacements Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who displayed his blistering speed, finished off tries to take the English side clear.

These tries came either side of Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when attempting to score.

England captain Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, scored the final try.

Borthwick's side now play New Zealand this coming weekend in their toughest test on paper this autumn.

Before this encounter, England had won 8 of their nine games with the Fijian side – most recently winning a close contest in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.

That one defeat came just weeks before the tournament in France and was a major turning point under the head coach.

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

After smooth attacking phases, number eight 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 clear in defence through huge first-half tackles in the center, with full-back Marcus Smith, used as a second playmaker, in especial targeted.

But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the standout moment in the opening half as offloads sliced through the English defense for Muntz 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 Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the power of their replacements that contained six Lions tourists.

A much-changed starting lineup from the victory over the Australians did score the next try as the prop crossed following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles versus Italy in March.

However, after a smart line-out move was finished by Ikanivere, Borthwick introduced five of his bench on the 54th minute – including Lions players Henry Pollock and Curry.

With the game still up for grabs, Fijian number nine the halfback lost control of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out replacement George's try.

Flanker Ben Earl, who scored against the Wallabies, produced a stunning game-saving stop to keep breathing room between the teams.

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

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

It is packed with stars and talent, which has aided in victories in the closing stages that were lost against Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

Given the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will feel confident of making a big statement next week.

Should they win, the bench 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)