England Claims Ninth Consecutive Win 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 notched 4 second-half tries to defeat a resilient Fijian team in their second autumn international.

This win lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and follows up their triumph over Australia last Saturday.

England opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before the visitors responded with tries by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Fly-half the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty to take the Fijians further clear before Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to ignite an thrilling final forty minutes.

Replacements George and Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, finished off tries to take the English side clear.

Those scores came either side of Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli spilling the ball when attempting to score.

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

The English team now face New Zealand this coming weekend in their biggest challenge theoretically this autumn.

Prior to this encounter, the English team had claimed victory in eight of their 9 games with Fiji – most recently winning 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.

That one defeat 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 joint longest streak since the late nineties – the game was always likely to be hard-fought.

Following smooth attacking phases, back rower Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the first try from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul providing a swift reply.

Known as the flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through huge opening period tackles in the center, with number fifteen 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 the fly-half to score.

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

The English team pulled away from Australia last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the strength of their bench that contained multiple British and Irish Lions.

A significantly altered starting lineup from the win over the Wallabies did grab the following touchdown as Genge crossed following a strong carry by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles tendon against Italy in March.

Nonetheless, after a smart set piece was finished by the Fijian, the coach introduced five of his bench on the 54th minute – including Lions tourists Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the game still up for grabs, Fijian number nine the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to negate replacement George's try.

Flanker Earl, who scored versus Australia, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to maintain breathing room between the teams.

It topped off another outstanding overall display by the flanker, who received back-to-back man of the match honors.

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

It is full of stars and quality, which has aided in wins in the final quarter that were lost versus the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn.

Given Scotland ran New Zealand close, the English team 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)