England Earns Ninth Consecutive Victory 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

England racked up four second-half tries to defeat a tough Fiji side in their latest autumn international.

The victory continues the English team's undefeated streak to nine games and supports their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend.

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

Fly-half Muntz failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty to take the Fijians further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to begin an thrilling second half.

Replacements Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who displayed his blistering speed, touched down to take the English side into a comfortable lead.

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

Skipper Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, secured the final try.

The English team now meet the All Blacks next Saturday in their biggest challenge on paper this autumn.

Prior to this encounter, the English team had claimed victory in eight of their 9 matches with Fiji – most recently taking 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.

That one defeat came just weeks before the tournament in France and was a significant shift under the head coach.

With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their joint longest streak since 1999 – the game was always expected to be hard-fought.

After smooth attacking phases, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground 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 swift reply.

Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was apparent in defence through huge opening period midfield hits, with full-back Marcus Smith, used as a second playmaker, in especial targeted.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the opening half as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for Muntz to touch down.

The winger sharply finished a cross-field kick by Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a video review.

England broke clear from Australia last Saturday in the final quarter through the impact of their replacements that contained multiple Lions tourists.

A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Australians did grab the following touchdown as Genge went over following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles versus the Italians in spring.

However, after a smart set piece was completed by Ikanivere, the coach introduced several of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions players Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the match still up for grabs, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when reaching for the tryline to cancel out substitute the hooker's score.

Flanker Ben Earl, a try-scorer against the Wallabies, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to keep a narrow lead between the sides.

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

Arundell's pace to chase down a kick through showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential.

It is full of stars and quality, which has aided in wins in the closing stages that were squandered versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

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

If successful, the bench 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)