England Earns Ninth Straight Victory Against 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

England racked up four second-half tries to beat a resilient Fiji side in their second autumn international.

This win continues Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine games and supports their win over the Wallabies last Saturday.

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

Number ten Muntz missed both conversions but nailed a penalty to take the visitors further ahead before Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to begin an exciting final forty minutes.

Substitutes Jamie George and Arundell, who displayed 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 going for the tryline.

England captain Maro Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, scored the final try.

The English team now meet New Zealand this coming weekend in their toughest test on paper this fall.

Before this match, England had won eight of their nine matches with Fiji – most recently winning a close contest in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.

Their sole loss came two months prior 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 the late nineties – the fixture was always expected to be competitive.

Following smooth attacking phases, back rower Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the opening score from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul adding a swift reply.

Known as the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through huge opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Smith, used as a second playmaker, in particular targeted.

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

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

The English team broke clear from Australia last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the strength of their replacements that included six Lions tourists.

A much-changed starting lineup from the victory over the Wallabies did grab the following touchdown as Genge went over following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles versus Italy in March.

However, after a smart line-out move was completed by Ikanivere, Borthwick introduced five of his bench on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the match still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when reaching for the goal line to cancel out replacement George's try.

Breakdown specialist Earl, a try-scorer against the Wallabies, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to maintain a narrow lead between the teams.

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

Arundell's pace to race on to a grubber kick demonstrated exactly why England's bench is so influential.

It is full of top players and quality, which has helped secure victories in the final quarter that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

Given Scotland pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will feel confident of making a big statement 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)