England Claims 9th 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 racked up 4 second-half tries to beat a tough Fiji side in their latest autumn international.

The victory continues the English team's winning run to nine games and follows up their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend.

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

Fly-half the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but kicked a penalty goal to take the visitors further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to spark an thrilling second half.

Replacements Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who displayed his blistering speed, finished off tries to take the hosts clear.

Those scores came either side of Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when going for the tryline.

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

The English team now meet the All Blacks this coming weekend in their biggest challenge theoretically this autumn.

Prior to this meeting, England had claimed victory in eight of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most lately taking 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.

Their sole loss came two months prior the competition 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 fixture was always likely to be tight.

After smooth attacking phases, back rower Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker forced his way over for the opening score from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul adding a quick response.

Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through monstrous first-half tackles in the center, with full-back Marcus Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in especial targeted.

But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair 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 score.

Feyi-Waboso sharply finished 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 awarded a yellow card following a video review.

The English team pulled away from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the final quarter through the strength of their replacements that included six British and Irish Lions.

A significantly altered starting XV from the victory over the Australians did grab the following touchdown as Genge crossed following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles tendon against the Italians in spring.

However, after a clever set piece was finished by Ikanivere, Borthwick introduced five of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Curry.

With the game still up for grabs, Fijian number nine the halfback lost control of the ball when reaching for the tryline to cancel out substitute George's try.

Breakdown specialist Earl, who scored versus Australia, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to keep breathing room between the sides.

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

Arundell's pace to race on to a grubber kick demonstrated exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.

It is packed with top players and talent, which has aided in wins in the final quarter that were lost versus the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall.

Given the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of sending a message next week.

Should they win, the bench will probably 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)