The English Team Claims Ninth Straight 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 racked up four second-half tries to defeat a physical Fijian team in their second autumn international.

This win extends Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and supports their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend.

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

Number ten Muntz missed both conversions but slotted a penalty to take the visitors further clear before Feyi-Waboso scored.

Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to ignite an thrilling second half.

Replacements Jamie George and Arundell, who demonstrated his blistering speed, touched down to take the English side into a comfortable lead.

These tries came either side of Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli dropping the ball when attempting to score.

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

The English team now play the All Blacks next Saturday in their biggest challenge on paper this fall.

Prior to this match, the English team had won 8 of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most recently winning 30-24 in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.

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 streak since the late nineties – the game was always expected to be hard-fought.

Following smooth attacking phases, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker barged over for the opening score from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul adding a quick response.

Known as the flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through huge opening period tackles in the center, with number fifteen Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the first forty as offloads sliced through the English defense for Muntz to touch down.

Feyi-Waboso sharply finished a cross-field kick by Smith to take England ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a video review.

England pulled away from the Wallabies last Saturday in the final quarter through the impact of their bench that included multiple British and Irish Lions.

A much-changed starting XV from the win over the Australians did grab the following touchdown as Genge crossed following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles versus the Italians in spring.

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

With the match still up for grabs, Fijian number nine the halfback fumbled of the ball when reaching for the goal line to cancel out replacement George's try.

Breakdown specialist Earl, a try-scorer against Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain breathing room between the teams.

It capped another all-round impressive performance by Earl, who received back-to-back player-of-the-match awards.

The substitute's speed to chase down a grubber kick demonstrated exactly why England's bench is so influential.

It is packed with stars and talent, which has aided in wins in the closing stages that were lost against the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn.

Given Scotland pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will feel confident of sending a message this weekend.

Should they win, the bench 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)