The English Team Secures Ninth Consecutive Win Over 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 four tries after halftime to overcome a physical Fijian team in their second autumn international.

This win continues Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and follows up their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend.

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

Number ten Muntz failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty goal to take the visitors further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored.

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to spark an entertaining second half.

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

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

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

The English team now face New Zealand this coming weekend in their toughest test on paper this autumn.

Prior to this meeting, the English team had won eight of their 9 matches with Fiji – most recently taking 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.

Their sole loss came two months prior the tournament in France and was a significant shift under the head coach.

With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their joint longest streak since 1999 – the fixture was always likely to be competitive.

After smooth attacking phases, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the opening score from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul providing a quick response.

Known as the flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through monstrous first-half tackles in the center, with full-back Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the opening half as offloads cut England's defence open 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 dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a bunker review.

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

A significantly altered starting XV from the victory over the Australians did score the following touchdown as Genge crossed following a strong carry by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles against Italy in spring.

However, after a clever line-out move was completed by Ikanivere, the coach introduced five of his bench on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players Henry Pollock and Curry.

With the game still in the balance, Fijian number nine the halfback lost control of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out substitute George's try.

Breakdown specialist Earl, a try-scorer against Australia, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to maintain breathing room between the teams.

It capped another all-round impressive display by Earl, who picked up consecutive player-of-the-match awards.

Arundell's pace to chase down a kick through showcased exactly why the English replacements is so influential.

It is full of top players and talent, which has helped secure wins in the closing stages that were lost versus the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall.

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

Should they win, the substitutes will probably 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)