England Claims Ninth Consecutive Win Against 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 racked up four second-half tries to beat a resilient Fiji side in their latest autumn international.

The victory continues the English team's undefeated streak to nine matches and supports their triumph over Australia the previous weekend.

The home side got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with scores by Ikanivere and Muntz.

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

Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to begin an exciting final forty minutes.

Replacements George and Arundell, who displayed his blistering speed, finished off tries to take the hosts clear.

Those scores came around Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli spilling the ball when attempting to score.

Skipper Itoje, who also came off the bench, grabbed the final try.

Borthwick's side now meet New Zealand next Saturday in their toughest test theoretically this fall.

Before this meeting, England had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 games with the Fijian side – most recently taking 30-24 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 Borthwick.

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

After slick phase play, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker barged over for the first try from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul adding a quick response.

Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was apparent in defence through powerful first-half midfield hits, with full-back Marcus Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in especial picked out.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the first forty as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for Muntz to touch down.

Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take England ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a bunker review.

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

A significantly altered starting lineup from the win over the Australians did grab the following touchdown as the prop crossed following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles against the Italians in spring.

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

With the match still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the goal line to cancel out replacement the hooker's score.

Breakdown specialist Earl, a try-scorer against Australia, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to keep breathing room between the sides.

It capped another outstanding overall display by the flanker, who picked up back-to-back player-of-the-match awards.

Arundell's pace to chase down a kick through demonstrated exactly why England's bench is so impactful.

It is packed with stars and talent, which has helped secure wins in the closing stages that were lost against the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall.

Given the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of sending a message next week.

Should they win, the substitutes 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)