England Secures Ninth Straight Win Against 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

The English squad scored 4 tries after halftime to beat a tough Fiji side in their second autumn international.

The victory lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and backs up their win over Australia the previous weekend.

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

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

Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to ignite an thrilling final forty minutes.

Replacements Jamie George and Arundell, who demonstrated his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts into a comfortable lead.

These tries came either side of Fijian halfback Kuruvoli spilling the ball when going for the tryline.

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

The English team now meet the All Blacks next Saturday in their biggest challenge on paper this autumn.

Prior to this match, England had won 8 of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most lately taking 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.

Their sole loss 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 joint longest run since the late nineties – the fixture was always expected to be competitive.

After smooth attacking phases, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker barged over for the first try from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a maul adding a swift reply.

Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through monstrous opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the opening half as offloads cut England's defence open for Muntz to touch down.

The winger sharply finished a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a bunker review.

England broke clear from the Wallabies last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the impact 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 Genge went over following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles against the Italians in March.

However, after a smart set piece was finished by Ikanivere, the coach introduced five of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions tourists Henry 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 negate replacement George's try.

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

It topped off another all-round impressive display by Earl, who picked up consecutive man of the match honors.

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

It is full of stars and talent, which has helped secure victories in the closing stages that were lost against Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

Given Scotland ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of making a big statement this weekend.

If successful, 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)