The English Team Claims Ninth Straight Win Against Physical 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

The English squad racked up four second-half tries to defeat a physical Fijian team in their latest autumn international.

The victory continues Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine matches and supports their win over the Wallabies last Saturday.

England got on the board first through Luke Cowan-Dickie before the visitors responded with tries by Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Fly-half Muntz missed both conversions but nailed a penalty to take the visitors further clear before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to begin an thrilling second half.

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

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

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

The English team now face the All Blacks this coming weekend in their biggest challenge theoretically this fall.

Before this meeting, England had won 8 of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most lately winning a close contest in the last eight of the last global tournament.

That one defeat came two months prior the tournament in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach.

With Fiji on a five-game streak – their equal best streak since the late nineties – the game was always likely to be competitive.

After slick phase play, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker forced his way over for the opening score from short distance, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul providing a quick response.

Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through powerful opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in especial picked out.

But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the opening half as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for Muntz to touch down.

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

The English team pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the strength of their replacements that included six Lions tourists.

A much-changed starting lineup from the win over the Australians did score the following touchdown as Genge went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles tendon versus Italy in March.

However, after a clever line-out move was finished by the Fijian, the coach introduced several of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions tourists Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the game still up for grabs, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when stretching for the goal line to cancel out substitute George's try.

Breakdown specialist Earl, who scored against Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain breathing room between the teams.

It capped another all-round impressive performance by the flanker, who received consecutive player-of-the-match awards.

Arundell's pace to race on to a kick through demonstrated exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.

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

Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident of making a big statement this weekend.

Should they win, the substitutes 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)