The English Team Secures 9th Straight Victory Against 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

England racked up four second-half tries to overcome a physical Fiji side in their latest fall test match.

The victory extends the English team's undefeated streak to nine games and supports their win over Australia last Saturday.

England opened the scoring through hooker Cowan-Dickie before the visitors responded with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz.

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

Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to ignite an exciting second half.

Replacements George and Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts clear.

These tries came around Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when attempting to score.

England captain Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, secured the last touchdown.

Borthwick's side now play New Zealand next Saturday in their toughest test on paper this autumn.

Prior to this match, England had claimed victory in eight of their nine games with the Fijian side – most recently winning 30-24 in the last eight of the last global tournament.

That one defeat came just weeks before the tournament in France and was a major turning point under the head coach.

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

After smooth attacking phases, number eight Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the opening score from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a maul providing a swift reply.

Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was apparent in defense through huge first-half tackles in the center, with number fifteen Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in especial picked out.

But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair 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 sharply finished 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 Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a bunker review.

England broke clear from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the strength of their bench that included multiple Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting lineup from the victory over the Wallabies did score the next try as the prop went over following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles tendon versus the Italians in spring.

Nonetheless, after a clever set piece was finished by the Fijian, Borthwick introduced several of his bench on the 54-minute mark – including Lions players Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the game still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when reaching for the tryline to cancel out substitute George's try.

Flanker Earl, who scored against Australia, produced a stunning game-saving stop to keep breathing room between the teams.

It topped off another outstanding overall display by the flanker, who received consecutive man of the match honors.

Arundell's pace to race on to a kick through showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential.

It is packed with stars and quality, which has helped secure wins in the final quarter that were squandered versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of making a big statement this weekend.

If successful, the bench 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)