England Secures Ninth Straight Win Over 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

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

The victory continues the English team's winning run to nine games and backs up their win over the Wallabies the previous weekend.

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

Number ten the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but slotted a penalty goal to take the Fijians further clear before Feyi-Waboso scored.

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to begin an thrilling final forty minutes.

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

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

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

Borthwick's side now face New Zealand next Saturday in their biggest challenge on paper this autumn.

Before this meeting, England had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 matches with Fiji – most lately taking 30-24 in the last eight of the last global tournament.

Their sole loss 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 1999 – the game was always likely to be hard-fought.

After smooth attacking phases, back rower Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the first try from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul adding a quick response.

Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through huge opening period tackles in the center, with full-back Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the first forty as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for the fly-half to touch down.

Feyi-Waboso sharply finished a kick across the field by Smith to take England ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a video review.

The English team pulled away from Australia last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the strength of their bench that contained six British and Irish Lions.

A significantly altered starting lineup from the win over the Wallabies did score the following touchdown as the prop went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles against the Italians in spring.

However, after a smart set piece was completed by Ikanivere, Borthwick unloaded five of his bench on the 54th minute – including Lions tourists Pollock and Curry.

With the game still up for grabs, Fijian number nine the halfback fumbled of the ball when reaching for the tryline to cancel out replacement George's try.

Flanker Ben Earl, who scored against the Wallabies, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to keep breathing room between the teams.

It topped off another outstanding overall performance by the flanker, who picked up back-to-back player-of-the-match awards.

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

It is full of top players and talent, which has aided in victories in the final quarter that were lost against Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, the English team will fancy their chances of sending a message next week.

If successful, the substitutes will probably again be crucial.

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)