The English Team Earns Ninth Consecutive Win Against Physical 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 notched four second-half tries to overcome a physical Fijian team in their second autumn international.

This win lengthens the English team's winning run to nine games and follows up their triumph over Australia the previous weekend.

The home side got on the board first through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with tries by Ikanivere and Muntz.

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

Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to begin an exciting second half.

Replacements George and Arundell, who displayed his scintillating pace, touched down to take the hosts into a comfortable lead.

Those scores came either side of Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli spilling the ball when attempting to score.

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

Borthwick's side now play New Zealand next Saturday in their toughest test theoretically this autumn.

Before this meeting, England had claimed victory in 8 of their nine games with Fiji – most recently winning 30-24 in the last eight of the last global tournament.

That one defeat came just weeks before the tournament in France and was a major turning point under Borthwick.

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

After slick phase play, back rower 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 maul providing a quick response.

Known as the flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through huge first-half tackles in the center, with full-back Marcus Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the opening half as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for the fly-half to score.

The winger expertly collected a kick across the field by Smith to take the hosts into the lead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a bunker review.

England broke clear from Australia last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the power of their replacements that included six Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting XV from the win over the Australians did grab the next try as Genge went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles versus Italy in spring.

However, after a clever set piece was finished by the Fijian, the coach introduced five of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions players Pollock and Curry.

With the match still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when stretching for the tryline to negate replacement George's try.

Breakdown specialist Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to maintain breathing room between the teams.

It topped off another outstanding overall display by the flanker, who picked up back-to-back man of the match honors.

The substitute's speed to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.

It is packed with stars and talent, which has aided in victories in the final quarter that were lost against Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

Given Scotland ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of making a big statement next week.

Should they win, 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)