The English Team Secures Ninth Straight Victory 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 racked up 4 second-half tries to overcome a physical Fijian team in their second fall test match.

This win extends the English team's undefeated streak to nine matches and supports their triumph over the Wallabies last Saturday.

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

Number ten Muntz missed both conversions but nailed a penalty goal to take the visitors further clear before Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to begin an thrilling final forty minutes.

Replacements Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who demonstrated his blistering speed, touched down to take the English side clear.

Those scores came either side of Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli spilling the ball when going for the tryline.

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

The English team now play New Zealand next Saturday in their toughest test on paper this fall.

Prior to this encounter, England had claimed victory in 8 of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most lately winning 30-24 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 streak since 1999 – the fixture was always expected to be tight.

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

Known as the flying Fijians, that was evident in defense through monstrous opening period midfield hits, with full-back Marcus Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in particular picked out.

But it was the vintage attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the opening half as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for the fly-half to touch down.

Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a cross-field kick by Smith to take England into the lead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a video review.

The English team broke clear from Australia last Saturday in the final quarter through the strength of their replacements that included six Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting lineup from the victory over the Wallabies did score the next try as Genge went over following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles against Italy in March.

Nonetheless, after a clever set piece was completed by Ikanivere, the coach unloaded five of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions players Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the match still up for grabs, Fijian number nine the halfback fumbled of the ball when reaching for the tryline to negate substitute the hooker's score.

Breakdown specialist Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain breathing room between the teams.

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

The substitute's speed to chase down a kick through showcased exactly why England's bench is so impactful.

It is packed with stars and quality, which has aided in victories in the final quarter that were lost against 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 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)