The English Team Earns 9th Consecutive Win Against Physical 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

The English squad scored four second-half tries to beat a physical Fiji side in their second fall test match.

The victory extends Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine matches and backs up their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend.

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

Number ten the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but nailed a penalty to take the Fijians further clear before Feyi-Waboso scored.

Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to ignite an entertaining final forty minutes.

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

Those scores came around Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli spilling the ball when attempting to score.

Skipper 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 match, England had claimed victory in 8 of their nine matches with Fiji – most lately winning 30-24 in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.

Their sole loss 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.

Following smooth attacking phases, number eight Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker barged over for the first try from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul providing a quick response.

Known as the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defense through powerful first-half tackles in the center, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in especial picked out.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the opening half as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for the fly-half to score.

Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a kick across the field by Fin 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 bunker review.

The English team pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the power of their replacements that contained multiple Lions tourists.

A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Wallabies did score the following touchdown as Genge went over following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles tendon versus Italy in spring.

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

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

Flanker Ben Earl, a try-scorer versus the Wallabies, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to keep a narrow lead between the teams.

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

Arundell's pace to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.

It is packed with 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.

Considering Scotland pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will feel confident of sending a message next week.

Should they win, the bench will probably 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)