The English Team Secures 9th Consecutive Victory Against Tough 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 racked up four tries after halftime to beat a physical Fiji side in their latest fall test match.

This win lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and supports their triumph over the Wallabies last Saturday.

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

Number ten the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but kicked a penalty to take the visitors further clear before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to ignite an entertaining second half.

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

Those scores came around Fijian halfback Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when attempting to score.

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

Borthwick's side now play New Zealand this coming weekend in their biggest challenge theoretically this fall.

Prior to this match, the English team had won eight of their nine matches with Fiji – most lately winning 30-24 in the last eight of the last global tournament.

That one defeat came just weeks before the tournament in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach.

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

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

Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through powerful opening period midfield hits, with full-back Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the standout moment in the opening half as offloads sliced through the English defense for Muntz to touch down.

Feyi-Waboso sharply finished a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take England into the lead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a sin-binning following a bunker review.

England pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the strength of their replacements that contained multiple Lions tourists.

A much-changed starting lineup from the win over the Wallabies did score the next try as the prop crossed following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles against the Italians in spring.

Nonetheless, after a clever line-out move was completed by Ikanivere, the coach unloaded several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players Pollock and Curry.

With the game still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half the halfback lost control of the ball when reaching for the goal line to negate substitute George's try.

Flanker Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to keep a narrow lead between the sides.

It capped another all-round impressive display by Earl, who received consecutive player-of-the-match awards.

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

It is packed with stars and talent, which has helped secure victories in the closing stages that were lost versus the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn.

Considering Scotland ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of making a big statement 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)