The English Team Claims Ninth Straight Win Against Physical Fiji

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

This win continues the English team's undefeated streak to nine games and supports their triumph over Australia the previous weekend.

The home side opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

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

Prop Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to ignite an entertaining final forty minutes.

Substitutes Jamie George and Arundell, who showed his scintillating pace, finished off tries to take the hosts into a comfortable lead.

Those scores came either side of Fijian halfback Kuruvoli dropping the ball when going for the tryline.

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

The English team now face the All Blacks next Saturday in their toughest test on paper this autumn.

Prior to this meeting, the English team had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 games with Fiji – most recently taking 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.

That one defeat came two months prior the competition in Europe and was a major turning point under Borthwick.

With Fiji on a five-game streak – their equal best run since the late nineties – the game was always expected to be hard-fought.

After smooth attacking phases, back rower Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the opening score from short distance, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a maul providing a quick response.

Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was apparent in defense through monstrous opening period tackles in the center, with full-back Marcus Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in especial targeted.

But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the first forty as offloads cut England's defence open for the fly-half to score.

The winger expertly collected a kick across the field by Smith to take England 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 pulled away from Australia last Saturday in the final quarter through the power of their bench that contained multiple Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting XV from the win over the Australians did grab the next try as the prop went over following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles versus Italy in March.

Nonetheless, after a smart line-out move was finished by the Fijian, the coach unloaded five of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players Pollock and Curry.

With the game still in the balance, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when reaching for the goal line to cancel out replacement the hooker's score.

Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, who scored versus Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain breathing room between the teams.

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

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

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

Considering Scotland pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will feel confident of sending a message this weekend.

If successful, the bench will likely 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)