The English Team Claims 9th Straight Victory Against Tough Fijian Side

Quilter Nations 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 scored four second-half tries to beat a physical Fiji side in their second autumn international.

The victory continues Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine games and backs up their triumph over the Wallabies last Saturday.

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

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

Prop Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to ignite an exciting second half.

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

These tries came around Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli spilling the ball when attempting to score.

England captain Itoje, who also came off the bench, grabbed the last touchdown.

The English team now face the All Blacks next Saturday in their biggest challenge theoretically this autumn.

Prior to this meeting, the English team had claimed victory in 8 of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most lately taking a close contest in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.

That one defeat came two months prior the competition in Europe and was a major turning point under Borthwick.

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

After smooth attacking phases, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters 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 quick response.

Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defense through monstrous first-half tackles in the center, with full-back Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in especial picked out.

But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the opening half as offloads sliced through the English defense for Muntz to score.

Feyi-Waboso sharply finished a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take the hosts into the lead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a sin-binning following a bunker review.

England pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the impact of their bench that contained six British and Irish Lions.

A significantly altered starting lineup from the victory over the Wallabies did score the following touchdown as the prop crossed following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles tendon against Italy in March.

However, after a smart set piece was completed by Ikanivere, the coach unloaded five of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions players Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the game still up for grabs, Fijian number nine the halfback lost control of the ball when stretching for the tryline to negate substitute George's try.

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

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

The substitute's speed to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential.

It is full of top players and talent, which has helped secure wins in the final quarter that were squandered against Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

Given the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will feel confident of making a big statement this weekend.

If successful, the bench 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)