England Secures Ninth Straight 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

England notched four tries after halftime to beat a physical Fiji side in their latest autumn international.

This win lengthens the English team's undefeated streak to nine matches and follows up their win over Australia the previous weekend.

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

Fly-half the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but nailed a penalty goal to take the visitors further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to ignite an thrilling second half.

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

Those scores came either side of Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli dropping the ball when attempting to score.

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

Borthwick's side now meet New Zealand this coming weekend in their toughest test theoretically this autumn.

Prior to this meeting, England had won eight of their nine games with the Fijian side – most recently taking 30-24 in the last eight of the last global tournament.

Their sole loss came just weeks before the competition in France and was a major turning point under Borthwick.

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

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

Known as the flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through monstrous first-half midfield hits, with full-back Marcus Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in especial picked out.

But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the opening half 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 Fin Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a bunker review.

The English team broke clear from the Wallabies last Saturday in the final quarter through the power of their bench that contained six British and Irish Lions.

A significantly altered starting XV from the victory over the Wallabies did score the next try as Genge crossed following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles tendon against Italy in spring.

However, after a clever set piece was finished by the Fijian, Borthwick introduced several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the match still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when reaching for the goal line to cancel out replacement the hooker's score.

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

It capped another all-round impressive display by the flanker, who received back-to-back player-of-the-match awards.

The substitute's speed to chase down a grubber kick showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential.

It is packed with top players and quality, which has helped secure victories in the closing stages that were lost against Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

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

If successful, the substitutes 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)