England Claims 9th Consecutive Win Against Physical 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 racked up four tries after halftime to defeat a physical Fijian team in their latest fall test match.

This win extends Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and follows up their win over Australia the previous weekend.

England opened the scoring through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

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

Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to begin an entertaining second half.

Substitutes Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who demonstrated his blistering speed, touched down to take the English side into a comfortable lead.

These tries came around Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli dropping the ball when going for the tryline.

Skipper Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, secured the final try.

Borthwick's side now meet the All Blacks next Saturday in their toughest test on paper this autumn.

Prior to this match, the English team had won eight of their nine games with the Fijian side – most recently winning a close contest in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.

That one defeat came just weeks before the tournament in France and was a major turning point under Borthwick.

With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their joint longest run since 1999 – the game was always likely to be hard-fought.

Following smooth attacking phases, number eight Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker barged over for the opening score from short distance, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a maul adding a swift reply.

Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was apparent in defense through monstrous first-half midfield hits, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, used as a second playmaker, in especial targeted.

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

The winger sharply finished a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a bunker review.

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

A much-changed starting lineup from the victory over the Australians did grab the following touchdown as the prop crossed following a strong carry by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles tendon against Italy in spring.

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

With the game still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when stretching for the goal line to negate substitute the hooker's score.

Breakdown specialist Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a stunning game-saving stop to keep breathing room between the sides.

It capped another outstanding overall display by the flanker, who picked up consecutive man of the match honors.

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

It is full of 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.

Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will feel confident of making a big statement this weekend.

If successful, the bench will probably 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)