England Claims 9th Consecutive Win Against Tough Fijian Side

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 4 second-half tries to overcome a resilient Fijian team in their latest fall test match.

This win lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and backs up their win over Australia the previous weekend.

England opened the scoring through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with tries by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Number ten the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but kicked a penalty to take the visitors further clear before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to ignite an entertaining final forty minutes.

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

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

Skipper Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, grabbed the last touchdown.

The English team now play the All Blacks next Saturday in their toughest test on paper this fall.

Prior to this meeting, the English team had claimed victory in eight of their nine matches with Fiji – most lately winning a close contest in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.

That one defeat came two months prior the competition 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 the late nineties – the fixture was always likely to be tight.

After slick phase play, back rower Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker barged over for the first try from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul providing a swift reply.

Known as the flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through powerful opening period midfield hits, with full-back Marcus Smith, used as a second playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the opening half as offloads cut England's defence open for the fly-half to score.

Feyi-Waboso sharply finished a cross-field kick by 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 video review.

The English team pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the strength of their replacements that included multiple British and Irish Lions.

A much-changed starting lineup from the victory over the Australians did score the following touchdown as Genge crossed following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles versus the Italians in spring.

However, after a clever set piece was completed by Ikanivere, Borthwick introduced five of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players Pollock and Curry.

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

Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, who scored versus Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to keep a narrow lead between the teams.

It topped off another outstanding overall display by Earl, who picked up back-to-back man of the match honors.

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

It is full of stars and talent, which has aided in wins in the closing stages that were lost against Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

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

Should they win, the bench 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)