England Earns 9th Consecutive Win Over Tough Fiji

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

The victory lengthens the English team's winning run to nine matches and follows up their win over Australia last Saturday.

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

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

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to ignite an thrilling second half.

Replacements Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who displayed his blistering speed, finished off tries to take the hosts clear.

These tries came around Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli spilling the ball when going for the tryline.

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

Borthwick's side now face New Zealand this coming weekend in their toughest test on paper this fall.

Before this meeting, England had won eight of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most recently taking 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.

Their sole loss came just weeks before the competition in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach.

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

After smooth attacking phases, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the first try from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul adding a swift reply.

Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through powerful first-half tackles in the center, with full-back Smith, used as a second playmaker, in especial targeted.

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

Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a kick across the field by Fin Smith to take England into the lead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a bunker review.

The English team broke clear from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the impact of their bench that included six Lions tourists.

A much-changed starting lineup from the victory over the Australians did score the next try as the prop went over following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles tendon against the Italians in March.

However, after a smart set piece was finished by the Fijian, the coach introduced several of his bench on the 54-minute mark – including Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Curry.

With the match still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when reaching for the goal line to cancel out replacement George's try.

Breakdown specialist Earl, who scored against the Wallabies, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain breathing room 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 race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why the English replacements is so influential.

It is packed with top players and quality, which has helped secure victories in the closing stages that were squandered against the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall.

Given Scotland ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident of sending a message this weekend.

If successful, 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)