The English Team Claims Ninth Consecutive Win Over 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

England racked up 4 second-half tries to beat a physical Fiji side in their second fall test match.

The victory continues the English team's undefeated streak to nine matches and supports their triumph over Australia the previous weekend.

England got on the board first through Luke Cowan-Dickie before the visitors answered back with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Fly-half Muntz missed both conversions but slotted a penalty to take the visitors further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored.

Prop Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to spark an thrilling final forty minutes.

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

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

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

The English team now play the All Blacks this coming weekend in their biggest challenge on paper this autumn.

Prior to this encounter, England had claimed victory in eight of their 9 matches with Fiji – most recently taking 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.

Their sole loss came just weeks before the tournament in Europe and was a significant shift under Borthwick.

With Fiji on a five-game streak – their equal best run since 1999 – the fixture was always likely to be tight.

After slick phase play, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker forced his way over for the first try from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul providing a swift reply.

Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through monstrous first-half tackles in the center, with number fifteen Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the opening half as offloads cut England's defence open for the fly-half to score.

Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a kick across the field by Smith to take the hosts into the lead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a video review.

England broke clear from Australia last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the impact of their bench that contained multiple British and Irish Lions.

A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Australians did grab the next try as Genge went over following a strong carry by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles versus Italy in March.

However, after a smart set piece was finished by Ikanivere, Borthwick introduced five of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions players Henry Pollock and Curry.

With the game still up for grabs, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when reaching for the goal line to negate substitute George's try.

Breakdown specialist Earl, a try-scorer versus Australia, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to keep breathing room between the sides.

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

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

It is packed with stars and quality, which has helped secure victories in the final quarter that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

Considering Scotland pushed the All Blacks hard, the English team will fancy their chances of sending a message next week.

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)