England Secures Ninth 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

England racked up four tries after halftime to overcome a physical Fiji side in their latest fall test match.

The victory continues Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine matches and follows up their triumph over Australia the previous weekend.

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

Fly-half the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but slotted a penalty goal to take the visitors further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored.

Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to begin an thrilling second half.

Replacements Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts into a comfortable lead.

These tries came around Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli spilling the ball when going for the tryline.

Skipper Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, secured the final try.

Borthwick's side now meet the All Blacks this coming weekend in their biggest challenge theoretically this autumn.

Prior to this match, the English team had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 matches with the Fijian side – most lately taking a close contest in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.

That one defeat came two months prior the tournament in France and was a major turning point under Borthwick.

With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their joint longest streak since 1999 – the game was always likely to be tight.

Following smooth attacking phases, back rower Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker barged over for the first try from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul providing a swift reply.

Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was apparent in defense through powerful opening period midfield hits, with full-back Smith, used as a second playmaker, in especial targeted.

But it was the vintage attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the first forty as offloads cut England's defence open for Muntz to score.

Feyi-Waboso 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 Ravutaumada, who was given a sin-binning following a bunker review.

The English team broke clear from the Wallabies last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the impact of their replacements that included multiple Lions tourists.

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

Nonetheless, after a clever line-out move was finished by Ikanivere, Borthwick unloaded five of his bench on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions tourists Pollock and Curry.

With the match still in the balance, Fijian number nine the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out replacement the hooker's score.

Breakdown specialist Earl, a try-scorer versus Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain a narrow lead between the teams.

It capped another outstanding overall display by Earl, who received consecutive man of the match honors.

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

It is full of top players and talent, which has helped secure victories in the final quarter that were lost against the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall.

Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of making a big statement next week.

Should they win, 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)