The English Team Secures 9th Straight Victory Against 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 4 second-half tries to overcome a resilient Fijian team in their latest autumn international.

This win extends Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and backs up their win over the Wallabies the previous weekend.

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

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

Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to ignite an thrilling final forty minutes.

Substitutes Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, touched down to take the English side into a comfortable lead.

These tries came either side of Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli dropping the ball when attempting to score.

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

The English team now meet the All Blacks next Saturday in their biggest challenge on paper this fall.

Before this encounter, the English team had won eight of their nine matches with Fiji – most lately taking 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.

Their sole loss came just weeks before the tournament in Europe and was a major turning point under Borthwick.

With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their equal best run since 1999 – the fixture was always expected to be competitive.

After slick phase play, back rower Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the first try from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul providing a quick response.

Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was apparent in defense through powerful first-half tackles in the center, with full-back Marcus Smith, used as a second playmaker, in particular picked out.

But it was the vintage attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the opening half as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for Muntz 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 illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a video review.

England pulled away from Australia last Saturday in the final quarter through the impact of their bench that included six British and Irish Lions.

A much-changed starting lineup from the win over the Australians did grab the following touchdown as Genge went over following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles versus the Italians in March.

Nonetheless, after a clever line-out move was finished by the Fijian, the coach unloaded several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions players Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the game still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half the halfback lost control of the ball when reaching for the tryline to negate replacement the hooker's score.

Flanker Ben Earl, a try-scorer against Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to keep breathing room between the sides.

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

The substitute's speed to chase down a kick through showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential.

It is full of stars and quality, which has helped secure wins in the closing stages that were squandered versus the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn.

Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident of making a big statement next week.

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)