The English Team Earns 9th Consecutive Victory Against Physical Fijian Side

Quilter Nations 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 4 second-half tries to beat a resilient Fijian team in their second autumn international.

This win extends Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and follows up their win over Australia last Saturday.

The home side opened the scoring through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with scores by Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Number ten the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty to take the Fijians further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Prop Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to begin an thrilling final forty minutes.

Substitutes Jamie George and Arundell, who demonstrated his scintillating pace, finished off tries to take the English side clear.

Those scores came either side of Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli spilling the ball when attempting to score.

Skipper Itoje, who also came off the bench, scored the last touchdown.

The English team now face the All Blacks this coming weekend in their toughest test on paper this autumn.

Before this match, the English team had claimed victory in eight of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most recently winning 30-24 in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.

That one defeat came just weeks before the tournament in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach.

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

After slick phase play, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the opening score 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 clear in defence through powerful opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in particular 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.

The winger expertly collected a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take England into the lead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a bunker review.

England pulled away from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the strength of their bench that contained six Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting XV from the victory over the Australians did score the next try as Genge crossed following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles tendon versus Italy in spring.

Nonetheless, after a clever set piece was completed by Ikanivere, the coach unloaded five of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions tourists Pollock and Curry.

With the game still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out replacement George's try.

Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, who scored against the Wallabies, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to keep breathing room between the teams.

It topped off another all-round impressive performance by Earl, who received consecutive man of the match honors.

The substitute's speed to chase down a grubber kick showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.

It is packed with top players and talent, which has aided in victories in the closing stages that were squandered against Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

Given the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, 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)