The English Team Claims 9th Straight Win Against Physical Fiji

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 notched 4 tries after halftime to overcome a tough Fijian team in their second fall test match.

This win continues Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and backs up their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend.

The home side got on the board first through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Fly-half Muntz failed to convert either try but nailed a penalty to take the visitors further clear before Feyi-Waboso scored.

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to ignite an exciting final forty minutes.

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

Those scores came either side of Fijian halfback Kuruvoli dropping the ball when going for the tryline.

Skipper Maro Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, scored the last touchdown.

The English team now play New Zealand this coming weekend in their biggest challenge on paper this fall.

Prior to this match, the English team had claimed victory in eight of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most recently winning a close contest in the last eight 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 Fiji on a five-match winning run – their equal best run since 1999 – the fixture was always expected to be competitive.

Following smooth attacking phases, number eight Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the first try from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul providing a swift reply.

Known as the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through huge first-half tackles in the center, with number fifteen Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in especial targeted.

But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the standout moment in the opening half 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 Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a bunker review.

England pulled away from Australia last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the strength of their bench that included six British and Irish Lions.

A much-changed starting lineup from the victory over the Wallabies did grab the following touchdown as the prop crossed following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles against the Italians in spring.

Nonetheless, after a clever line-out move was finished by Ikanivere, Borthwick introduced five of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – including Lions players Pollock and Curry.

With the match still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half the halfback lost control of the ball when stretching for the tryline to negate substitute the hooker's score.

Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, a try-scorer against the Wallabies, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to keep a narrow lead between the sides.

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

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

It is full of stars and quality, which has aided in victories in the closing stages that were lost against the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall.

Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will feel confident of sending a message next week.

If successful, 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)