England Claims 9th Straight Win 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

England racked up four second-half tries to overcome a resilient Fijian team in their latest fall test match.

The victory lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine matches and supports their win over Australia last Saturday.

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

Fly-half the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but nailed a penalty goal to take the visitors further ahead before Feyi-Waboso scored.

Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to ignite an thrilling final forty minutes.

Replacements Jamie George and Arundell, who showed his scintillating pace, touched down to take the English side into a comfortable lead.

These tries came either side of Fijian halfback Kuruvoli spilling the ball when attempting to score.

England captain Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, secured the last touchdown.

Borthwick's side now face the All Blacks this coming weekend in their toughest test theoretically this autumn.

Prior to this meeting, the English team had won 8 of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most recently winning 30-24 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 Borthwick.

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

After smooth attacking phases, number eight Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker forced his way over for the first try from short distance, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul adding a swift reply.

Known as the flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through powerful opening period tackles in the center, with full-back Marcus Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in particular picked out.

But it was the vintage attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the opening half as offloads sliced through the English defense for Muntz to touch down.

The winger expertly collected a kick across the field by Smith to take England ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a video review.

England broke clear from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the strength of their bench that included multiple Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting XV from the victory 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 suffering his Achilles versus the Italians in March.

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

With the game still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when reaching for the tryline to negate substitute George's try.

Flanker Earl, who scored versus Australia, produced a stunning game-saving stop to maintain a narrow lead between the teams.

It topped off another outstanding overall display by Earl, who received consecutive man of the match honors.

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

It is packed with top players and talent, which has aided in victories in the closing stages that were squandered against the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn.

Given the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, the English team will fancy their chances of making a big statement this weekend.

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)