England Secures 9th Straight Victory Against Tough 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 racked up four second-half tries to overcome a resilient Fijian team in their latest autumn international.

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

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

Fly-half the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but slotted a penalty goal to take the Fijians further clear before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to spark an exciting final forty minutes.

Replacements George and Arundell, who demonstrated his scintillating pace, finished off tries to take the English side into a comfortable lead.

These tries came either side of Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when going for the tryline.

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

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

Prior to this meeting, England had won eight of their 9 games with Fiji – most recently winning a close contest in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.

That one defeat came just weeks before the tournament in Europe and was a significant shift under the head coach.

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

Following slick phase play, number eight Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker barged over for the opening score from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul adding a swift reply.

Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was evident in defense through monstrous first-half tackles in the center, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the opening half as offloads sliced through the English defense for Muntz to score.

Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a kick across the field by Fin Smith to take the hosts into the lead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a video review.

The English team broke clear from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the impact of their bench that included multiple Lions tourists.

A much-changed starting lineup from the win over the Wallabies did grab the following touchdown as Genge crossed following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles tendon against Italy in March.

Nonetheless, after a clever set piece was finished by Ikanivere, Borthwick introduced five of his bench on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions players Henry Pollock and Curry.

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

Breakdown specialist Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a stunning game-saving stop to maintain breathing room between the teams.

It topped off another outstanding overall performance by Earl, who picked up consecutive man of the match honors.

The substitute's speed to race on to a kick through showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.

It is packed with top players and talent, which has aided in victories in the final quarter that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

Given the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, the English team will feel confident of sending a message next week.

If successful, 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)