The English Team Secures Ninth Consecutive Win 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 scored four second-half tries to defeat a resilient Fijian team in their second autumn international.

The victory lengthens the English team's undefeated streak to nine matches and backs up their win over the Wallabies last Saturday.

The home side opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Fly-half Muntz failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty goal to take the Fijians further ahead before Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to spark an entertaining final forty minutes.

Replacements Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who showed his scintillating pace, finished off tries to take the hosts clear.

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

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

Borthwick's side now meet the All Blacks this coming weekend in their toughest test theoretically this fall.

Prior to this match, England had won 8 of their nine matches with Fiji – most lately taking a close contest in the last eight of the last global tournament.

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 equal best streak since 1999 – the game was always likely to be hard-fought.

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

Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was evident in defense through huge first-half midfield hits, with number fifteen Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in particular picked out.

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

The winger expertly collected a kick across the field by Fin Smith to take the hosts into the lead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a bunker review.

England broke clear from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the strength of their replacements that contained multiple Lions tourists.

A significantly altered 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 against the Italians in March.

However, after a smart set piece was completed by the Fijian, the coach introduced several of his bench on the 54th minute – featuring Lions tourists Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the match still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out substitute George's try.

Flanker Ben Earl, a try-scorer versus the Wallabies, produced a stunning game-saving stop to maintain breathing room between the sides.

It capped another outstanding overall display by the flanker, who received back-to-back man of the match honors.

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

It is packed with top players and quality, which has helped secure wins in the final quarter that were squandered against the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn.

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

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)