The English Team Earns 9th Straight Win Over Physical 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

The English squad notched four tries after halftime to defeat a tough Fiji side in their latest autumn international.

The victory lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and supports their triumph over Australia the previous weekend.

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

Number ten Muntz missed both conversions but slotted a penalty to take the Fijians further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to spark an exciting second half.

Substitutes Jamie George and Arundell, who displayed 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.

England captain Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, grabbed the last touchdown.

The English team now face the All Blacks next Saturday in their biggest challenge theoretically this autumn.

Before this meeting, the English team had claimed victory in eight of their nine matches with Fiji – most recently taking 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.

That one defeat came just weeks before the tournament in Europe and was a major turning point under Borthwick.

With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their equal best streak since 1999 – the game was always expected to be hard-fought.

After smooth attacking phases, back rower Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker barged over for the first try from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a maul adding a quick response.

Known as the flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through powerful first-half midfield hits, with full-back Smith, used as a second playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the vintage attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the first forty as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for Muntz to touch down.

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

England broke clear from Australia last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the power of their replacements that included six British and Irish Lions.

A significantly altered starting XV from the win over the Australians did grab the next try as the prop crossed following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles versus Italy in March.

However, after a smart set piece was finished by Ikanivere, Borthwick unloaded several of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the game still up for grabs, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when reaching for the goal line to negate replacement the hooker's score.

Flanker Ben Earl, a try-scorer against Australia, produced a stunning game-saving stop to maintain a narrow lead between the sides.

It capped another outstanding overall performance by Earl, who received consecutive player-of-the-match awards.

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

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

Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will feel confident of sending a message this weekend.

Should they win, the substitutes 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)