The English Team Secures 9th Straight Victory Over Tough Fiji

Quilter Nations 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 4 tries after halftime to defeat a physical Fiji side in their latest fall test match.

This win extends the English team's winning run to nine games and follows up their triumph over the Wallabies last Saturday.

England got on the board first through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz.

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

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to begin an exciting second half.

Substitutes George and Arundell, who demonstrated his scintillating pace, touched down to take the hosts into a comfortable lead.

These tries came around Fijian halfback Kuruvoli dropping the ball when going for the tryline.

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

The English team now meet the All Blacks next Saturday in their biggest challenge on paper this autumn.

Before this encounter, England had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 games with Fiji – most lately taking a close contest in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.

That one defeat came just weeks before the tournament in Europe and was a significant shift under Borthwick.

With the Pacific Islanders on a five-match winning run – their equal best streak since 1999 – the game was always expected to be competitive.

After smooth attacking phases, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the first try from short distance, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a maul adding a swift reply.

Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through monstrous opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in especial targeted.

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

The winger sharply finished a kick across the field by Smith to take England into the lead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by 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 power of their replacements that included six Lions tourists.

A much-changed starting lineup from the win over the Wallabies did score the following touchdown as the prop went over following a strong carry by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles against Italy in March.

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

With the game still in the balance, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when reaching for the tryline to cancel out replacement George's try.

Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, who scored against Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to keep breathing room between the sides.

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

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

It is full of stars and talent, which has aided in wins in the closing stages that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

Considering the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, the English team will fancy their chances of sending a message this weekend.

Should they win, the substitutes 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)