The English Team Claims Ninth Straight Win Against Tough 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

The English squad racked up 4 tries after halftime to overcome a physical Fiji side in their second autumn international.

The victory lengthens the English team's undefeated streak to nine games and backs up their win over the Wallabies last Saturday.

England opened the scoring through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with tries by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Fly-half the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but slotted a penalty goal to take the Fijians further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Prop Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to ignite an exciting second half.

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

These tries came around Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when going for the tryline.

Skipper Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, secured the final try.

Borthwick's side now meet the All Blacks this coming weekend in their biggest challenge theoretically this fall.

Prior to this match, the English team had won 8 of their nine matches with Fiji – most lately winning 30-24 in the last eight of the last global tournament.

Their sole loss came two months prior the tournament in France and was a major turning point under Borthwick.

With the Pacific Islanders on a five-match winning run – their equal best streak since the late nineties – the game was always expected to be competitive.

After slick phase play, number eight Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker barged over for the opening score from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul providing a swift reply.

Known as the flying Fijians, that was apparent in defence through powerful first-half midfield hits, with number fifteen Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in especial targeted.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the first forty as offloads sliced through the English defense for Muntz to score.

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

England broke clear from Australia the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the power of their bench that included multiple British and Irish Lions.

A significantly altered starting XV from the victory over the Wallabies did grab the following touchdown as the prop went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles tendon 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 Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the game still in the balance, Fijian number nine the halfback lost control of the ball when stretching for the goal line to negate replacement the hooker's score.

Flanker Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain breathing room between the sides.

It capped another outstanding overall performance by the flanker, who picked up 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 packed with stars and quality, which has aided in victories in the closing stages that were squandered versus the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn.

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

If successful, the substitutes will likely play another key factor.

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)