The English Team Earns Ninth Straight Victory 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

The English squad racked up four second-half tries to beat a physical Fiji side in their second fall test match.

The victory continues Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and backs up their triumph over Australia last Saturday.

The home side opened the scoring through hooker 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 begin an exciting second half.

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

These tries came around Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli spilling the ball when going for the tryline.

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

The English team now face New Zealand next Saturday in their toughest test on paper this fall.

Before this match, the English team had won eight of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most lately winning a close contest in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.

Their sole loss came just weeks before the tournament in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach.

With the Pacific Islanders on a five-match winning run – their equal best streak since 1999 – the fixture was always likely to be competitive.

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

Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through powerful first-half tackles in the center, with full-back Marcus Smith, used as a second playmaker, in especial picked out.

But it was the vintage attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the first forty as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for the fly-half to touch down.

The winger expertly collected a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a bunker review.

England pulled away from Australia last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the strength of their replacements that included multiple Lions tourists.

A much-changed starting XV from the win over the Wallabies did score the following touchdown as the prop went over following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles versus Italy in March.

Nonetheless, after a smart set piece was completed by Ikanivere, Borthwick introduced several of his bench on the 54th minute – including Lions players Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the game still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half the halfback fumbled of the ball when reaching for the goal line to negate substitute George's try.

Flanker Ben Earl, who scored against the Wallabies, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to keep 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 showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.

It is packed with stars and talent, which has aided in victories in the final quarter that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

Given Scotland pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will feel confident of making a big statement this weekend.

If successful, the substitutes 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)