The English Team Secures Ninth Straight Win 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

The English squad scored four tries after halftime to defeat a resilient Fijian team in their second autumn international.

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

The home side opened the scoring through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with tries by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz.

Fly-half Muntz missed both conversions but nailed a penalty to take the Fijians further ahead before Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Prop Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to spark an entertaining second half.

Substitutes George and Henry Arundell, who showed his scintillating pace, touched down to take the hosts clear.

These tries came either side of Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli dropping the ball when going for the tryline.

Skipper Itoje, who also came off the bench, scored the last touchdown.

Borthwick's side now meet New Zealand this coming weekend in their toughest test theoretically this fall.

Before this encounter, the English team had won 8 of their 9 games 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 Borthwick.

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 smooth attacking phases, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the opening score from short distance, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a maul adding a quick response.

Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through monstrous opening period midfield hits, with full-back Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in particular picked out.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the opening half as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for Muntz to touch down.

The winger expertly collected a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take England ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a bunker review.

The English team broke clear from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the power of their replacements that included six Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting XV from the victory over the Australians did score the following touchdown as the prop crossed following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles versus the Italians in spring.

However, after a clever set piece was completed by Ikanivere, the coach introduced several of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – including Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the game still up for grabs, Fijian number nine the halfback lost control of the ball when reaching for the goal line to negate replacement the hooker's score.

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

It topped off another outstanding overall performance by Earl, who picked up consecutive player-of-the-match awards.

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 quality, which has helped secure victories in the final quarter that were squandered versus the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn.

Given Scotland ran New Zealand close, the English team will fancy their chances of making a big statement this weekend.

If successful, the bench 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)