The English Team Claims Ninth Straight Win Over 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 tries after halftime to overcome a resilient Fiji side in their second fall test match.

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

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

Fly-half the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty goal to take the visitors further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored.

Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to spark an entertaining final forty minutes.

Replacements Jamie George and Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, finished off tries to take the English side clear.

Those scores came either side of Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli dropping the ball when going for the tryline.

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

Borthwick's side now face the All Blacks this coming weekend in their toughest test theoretically this autumn.

Prior to this match, England had claimed victory in eight of their 9 matches with Fiji – most recently winning a close contest in the last eight of the last global tournament.

Their sole loss came two months prior the tournament in Europe and was a significant shift under the head coach.

With the Pacific Islanders on a five-match winning run – their joint longest run since 1999 – the game was always likely to be competitive.

Following slick phase play, number eight Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker barged over for the opening score from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul adding a quick response.

Known as the Flying Fijians, that was apparent in defense through monstrous first-half tackles in the center, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in especial targeted.

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

Feyi-Waboso sharply finished a cross-field kick by Smith to take the hosts into the lead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a bunker review.

England broke clear from the Wallabies last Saturday in the final quarter through the power of their replacements that included six Lions tourists.

A much-changed starting lineup from the victory over the Wallabies did score the next try as the prop went over following a strong carry by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles versus the Italians in March.

However, after a clever set piece was completed by the Fijian, Borthwick introduced several of his bench on the 54th minute – including Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Curry.

With the match still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when stretching for the goal line to cancel out substitute George's try.

Flanker Earl, a try-scorer versus the Wallabies, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to keep a narrow lead between the sides.

It capped another all-round impressive performance by Earl, who picked up consecutive man of the match honors.

The substitute's speed to chase down a kick through showcased exactly why the English replacements is so influential.

It is packed with top players and quality, which has aided in victories in the closing stages that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

Considering the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, the English team will feel confident of making a big statement next week.

Should they win, the bench will likely 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)