The English Team Earns 9th 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

The English squad scored four second-half tries to defeat a resilient Fijian team in their second autumn international.

This win extends Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine matches and follows up their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend.

England got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with scores by Ikanivere and Muntz.

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

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

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

These tries came around Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli spilling the ball when attempting to score.

England captain Itoje, who also came off the bench, grabbed the final try.

Borthwick's side now play New Zealand next Saturday in their biggest challenge theoretically this autumn.

Prior to this meeting, the English team had won eight of their nine games with the Fijian side – most lately taking 30-24 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 Borthwick.

With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their equal best run since the late nineties – the game was always expected to be competitive.

After smooth attacking phases, number eight Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the first try from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a maul adding a swift reply.

Known as the Flying Fijians, that was apparent in defence through powerful first-half tackles in the center, with full-back Marcus Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in especial targeted.

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

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

England pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the impact of their replacements that contained six Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting XV from the win over the Wallabies did grab the following touchdown as Genge went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles versus the Italians in spring.

Nonetheless, after a smart line-out move was finished by the Fijian, Borthwick introduced several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the game still in the balance, Fijian number nine the halfback lost control of the ball when reaching for the goal line to cancel out substitute George's try.

Breakdown specialist Earl, a try-scorer against the Wallabies, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to keep breathing room between the sides.

It topped off another all-round impressive performance by the flanker, who received consecutive player-of-the-match awards.

The substitute's speed to race on to a grubber kick demonstrated exactly why England's bench is so impactful.

It is packed with stars and quality, which has aided in wins in the final quarter that were lost against the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall.

Given the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will feel confident of sending a message next week.

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)