The English Team Claims Ninth Consecutive Victory Over Tough 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

England notched four second-half tries to defeat a resilient Fijian team in their second autumn international.

The victory continues Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and follows up their triumph over the Wallabies last Saturday.

England opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz.

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

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to ignite an exciting second half.

Substitutes George and Arundell, who demonstrated his scintillating pace, finished off tries to take the English side clear.

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

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

The English team now face New Zealand next Saturday in their biggest challenge theoretically this fall.

Prior to this meeting, the English team had won 8 of their nine games with Fiji – most lately taking a close contest 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-game streak – their equal best streak since 1999 – the fixture was always expected to be hard-fought.

Following slick phase play, number eight 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 swift reply.

Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through monstrous first-half midfield hits, with full-back Smith, used as a second playmaker, in particular picked out.

But it was the vintage attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the opening half as offloads cut England's defence open for Muntz to score.

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

The English team pulled away from Australia last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the impact of their bench that included six Lions tourists.

A much-changed starting XV from the win over the Australians did grab the following touchdown as the prop went over following a strong carry by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles versus the Italians in spring.

Nonetheless, after a clever line-out move was completed by Ikanivere, Borthwick unloaded several of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions players Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the game still in the balance, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when reaching for the goal line to cancel out substitute the hooker's score.

Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, a try-scorer against the Wallabies, produced a stunning game-saving stop to keep breathing room between the sides.

It capped another outstanding overall performance by Earl, who received back-to-back man of the match honors.

Arundell's pace to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why the English replacements is so influential.

It is packed with stars and talent, which has aided in victories in the closing stages that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, 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)