The English Team Claims 9th Straight 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 notched four tries after halftime to beat a resilient Fiji side in their second autumn international.

This win continues Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine matches and supports their win over Australia the previous weekend.

England got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with tries by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Fly-half the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but nailed a penalty to take the visitors further clear before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Prop Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to begin an entertaining final forty minutes.

Replacements Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who showed his scintillating pace, touched down to take the hosts into a comfortable lead.

Those scores came around Fijian halfback Kuruvoli dropping the ball when going for the tryline.

England captain Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, grabbed the last touchdown.

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

Prior to this encounter, England had claimed victory in eight of their nine 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 tournament in Europe and was a major turning point under Borthwick.

With the Pacific Islanders on a five-match winning run – their equal best streak since 1999 – the game was always expected to be hard-fought.

Following slick phase play, back rower Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker barged over for the opening score from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul adding a swift reply.

Known as the Flying Fijians, that was apparent in defense through powerful first-half midfield hits, with full-back Marcus Smith, used as a second playmaker, in especial picked out.

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 Muntz to score.

The winger 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 sin-binning following a bunker review.

The English team broke clear from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the final quarter through the impact of their bench that included multiple British and Irish Lions.

A significantly altered starting XV from the victory over the Wallabies did grab the next try as the prop went over following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles versus Italy in March.

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

With the match still in the balance, Fijian number nine the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to negate replacement the hooker's score.

Flanker Ben Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to maintain a narrow lead between the sides.

It capped another all-round impressive display by Earl, who picked up back-to-back man of the match honors.

Arundell's pace to chase down a kick through showcased exactly why the English replacements is so influential.

It is full of top players and quality, which has aided in victories in the closing stages that were squandered versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

Considering Scotland ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will feel confident of making a big statement next week.

If successful, the substitutes will likely 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)