The English Team Secures 9th Straight Victory Against Tough 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 scored four tries after halftime to defeat a tough Fiji side in their latest fall test match.

This win lengthens the English team's undefeated streak to nine games and supports their win over the Wallabies the previous weekend.

The home side opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with scores by Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Fly-half Muntz failed to convert either try but kicked a penalty goal to take the Fijians further clear before Feyi-Waboso crossed.

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

Replacements George and Arundell, who demonstrated his blistering speed, finished off tries to take the hosts into a comfortable lead.

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

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

The English team now play New Zealand next Saturday in their biggest challenge on paper this autumn.

Before this encounter, England had won eight of their 9 games with Fiji – most lately taking a close contest in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.

Their sole loss came two months prior the tournament in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach.

With the Pacific Islanders on a five-match winning run – their equal best streak since the late nineties – the fixture was always expected to be hard-fought.

Following slick phase play, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the opening score from short distance, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul adding a quick response.

Known as the flying Fijians, that was apparent in defence through monstrous first-half tackles in the center, with full-back Smith, used as a second playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the vintage attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the first forty as offloads cut England's defence open for Muntz to score.

The winger expertly collected a kick across the field by Smith to take England ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a video review.

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

A much-changed starting XV from the win over the Australians did score the following touchdown as the prop went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles against Italy in March.

However, after a smart line-out move was finished by the Fijian, the coach unloaded five of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the match still in the balance, Fijian number nine the halfback fumbled of the ball when reaching for the goal line to cancel out substitute George's try.

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

It topped off another all-round impressive performance by the flanker, who picked up consecutive man of the match honors.

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

It is packed with top players and talent, which has aided in victories in the final quarter that were squandered versus Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

Considering Scotland pushed the All Blacks hard, the English team will feel confident of making a big statement this weekend.

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)