England Secures Ninth Straight Victory Over 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 scored four second-half tries to defeat a tough Fiji side in their second fall test match.

The victory continues Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine games and follows up their win over the Wallabies the previous weekend.

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

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

Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to begin an thrilling second half.

Replacements Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who demonstrated his scintillating pace, finished off tries to take the English side into a comfortable lead.

These tries came either side of Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when going for the tryline.

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

The English team now face New Zealand next Saturday in their toughest test on paper this autumn.

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

Their sole loss came two months prior the competition in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach.

With Fiji on a five-game streak – their joint longest streak since the late nineties – the game was always expected to be competitive.

After smooth attacking phases, 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 adding a quick response.

Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was apparent in defence through huge opening period tackles in the center, with number fifteen Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair 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 expertly collected a kick across the field by Fin Smith to take the hosts into the lead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a bunker review.

England pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the impact of their bench that included multiple Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting XV from the victory over the Wallabies did grab the following touchdown as Genge went over following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles tendon versus Italy in March.

Nonetheless, after a smart line-out move was finished by the Fijian, the coach introduced five of his bench on the 54th minute – featuring Lions tourists Pollock and Curry.

With the game still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when stretching for the tryline to negate substitute George's try.

Flanker Ben Earl, who scored against Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain a narrow lead between the teams.

It topped off another all-round impressive performance by Earl, who picked up consecutive man of the match honors.

Arundell's pace to chase down a grubber kick demonstrated exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.

It is full of top players and talent, which has aided in victories in the final quarter that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

Given Scotland pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will feel confident of making a big statement this weekend.

Should they win, 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)