England Claims Ninth Straight Victory 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 scored four second-half tries to beat a physical Fiji side in their latest autumn international.

This win extends Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and follows up their triumph over Australia the previous weekend.

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

Fly-half the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but kicked a penalty to take the visitors further clear before Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to spark an entertaining second half.

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

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

Skipper Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, secured the last touchdown.

Borthwick's side now meet New Zealand next Saturday in their biggest challenge on paper this fall.

Prior to this meeting, England had won eight of their 9 matches with the Fijian side – most lately taking a close contest in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.

Their sole loss came two months prior the competition in Europe and was a significant shift under Borthwick.

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

Following slick phase play, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the first try from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a maul providing a swift reply.

Known as the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through monstrous opening period tackles in the center, with full-back Marcus Smith, used as a second playmaker, in especial picked out.

But it was the vintage attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the first forty as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for the fly-half to touch down.

Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a kick across the field by Smith to take the hosts into the lead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a video review.

England pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the power of their bench that included six British and Irish Lions.

A significantly altered starting XV from the victory over the Australians did grab the next try as the prop crossed following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles tendon against the Italians in March.

However, after a smart line-out move was finished by Ikanivere, the coach unloaded several of his bench on the 54-minute mark – including Lions players Pollock and Curry.

With the game still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the goal line to negate substitute George's try.

Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to keep a narrow lead between the teams.

It topped off another all-round impressive performance by the flanker, who picked up back-to-back man of the match honors.

The substitute's speed to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why England's bench is so impactful.

It is packed with top players and quality, which has helped secure wins in the final quarter that were lost against Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

Considering Scotland ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident 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)