England Claims 9th Consecutive Win Against Physical Fiji

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 scored four tries after halftime to defeat a tough Fijian team in their second fall test match.

The victory lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine games and follows up their win over Australia the previous weekend.

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

Fly-half the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but nailed a penalty goal to take the Fijians further clear before Feyi-Waboso scored.

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

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

Those scores came around Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when attempting to score.

Skipper Itoje, who also came off the bench, secured the final try.

The English team now meet the All Blacks next Saturday in their toughest test on paper this fall.

Before this match, England had won eight of their nine games with Fiji – most lately taking a close contest in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.

Their sole loss came two months prior the competition in Europe and was a major turning point under Borthwick.

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

Following slick phase play, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker barged over for the first try from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul adding a quick response.

Known as the flying Fijians, that was apparent in defence through huge first-half midfield hits, with full-back Smith, used as a second playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the first forty as offloads cut England's defence open for the fly-half to score.

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

England broke clear from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the power of their bench that included multiple Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting XV from the win over the Wallabies did grab the following touchdown as Genge went over following a strong carry by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles tendon against the Italians in March.

Nonetheless, after a smart set piece was completed by the Fijian, the coach introduced several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the match still up for grabs, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when reaching for the goal line to negate replacement the hooker's score.

Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, who scored versus Australia, produced a stunning game-saving stop to maintain breathing room between the sides.

It topped off another outstanding overall display by the flanker, who received consecutive player-of-the-match awards.

Arundell's pace to race on to a grubber kick demonstrated exactly why the English replacements is so influential.

It is packed with top players and quality, which has helped secure wins in the final quarter that were squandered versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, the English team will fancy their chances of sending a message this weekend.

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)