England Earns Ninth Consecutive Victory Against Tough 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 notched 4 second-half tries to overcome a resilient Fijian team in their second fall test match.

The victory lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine matches and backs up their win over Australia last Saturday.

The home side got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before the visitors responded with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Number ten the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but kicked a penalty to take the Fijians further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored.

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to begin an thrilling final forty minutes.

Replacements George and Henry Arundell, who displayed his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts clear.

These tries came either side of Fijian halfback Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when attempting to score.

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

The English team now play New Zealand this coming weekend in their biggest challenge on paper this autumn.

Prior to this meeting, the English team had claimed victory in eight of their nine games with the Fijian side – most lately winning 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.

Their sole loss came two months prior the competition 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 game was always likely to be hard-fought.

After slick phase play, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the opening score from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a maul adding a quick response.

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

But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the standout moment in the first forty as offloads cut England's defence open for Muntz to score.

The winger expertly collected a cross-field kick by Smith to take England ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a sin-binning following a video review.

The English team pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the strength of their bench that included six Lions tourists.

A much-changed starting lineup from the victory over the Australians did grab the next try as the prop crossed following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles versus Italy in spring.

However, after a smart set piece was finished by Ikanivere, the coach introduced five of his bench on the 54-minute mark – including Lions players Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the match still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out replacement George's try.

Flanker Ben Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a stunning game-saving stop to maintain breathing room between the teams.

It capped another outstanding overall performance by Earl, who received consecutive player-of-the-match awards.

The substitute's speed to race on to a kick through showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.

It is full of stars and talent, which has helped secure wins in the final quarter that were squandered against Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident of sending a message this weekend.

Should they win, 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)