The English Team Earns 9th Consecutive Win Over Tough 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 racked up 4 tries after halftime to overcome a resilient Fijian team in their latest autumn international.

The victory continues Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and backs up their win over the Wallabies the previous weekend.

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

Fly-half Muntz failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty to take the visitors further ahead before Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to ignite an exciting second half.

Replacements Jamie George and Arundell, who showed his scintillating pace, touched down to take the English side clear.

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

England captain Itoje, who also came off the bench, scored the final try.

The English team now face the All Blacks next Saturday in their toughest test theoretically this fall.

Before this encounter, England had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 games with Fiji – most lately winning 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.

That one defeat came two months prior the competition in France and was a significant shift 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.

After slick phase play, back rower Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker forced his way over for the opening score from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul providing a swift reply.

Known as the flying Fijians, that was apparent in defense through huge opening period tackles in the center, with full-back Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the opening half as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for the fly-half to score.

The winger sharply finished a kick across the field by Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a bunker review.

The English team pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the power of their replacements that contained multiple British and Irish Lions.

A significantly altered starting lineup from the win over the Wallabies did score the next try as the prop went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles versus the Italians in spring.

However, after a smart line-out move was finished by the Fijian, Borthwick introduced several of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the game still in the balance, Fijian number nine the halfback fumbled of the ball when reaching for the goal line to negate substitute George's try.

Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, who scored against Australia, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to maintain a narrow lead between the teams.

It capped another outstanding overall performance by the flanker, who received consecutive man of the match honors.

Arundell's pace to chase down a grubber kick showcased exactly why England's bench is so impactful.

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

Given the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will feel confident of sending a message this weekend.

Should they win, the substitutes 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)