England Claims 9th Consecutive Win 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 scored four tries after halftime to overcome a tough Fiji side in their second fall test match.

The victory extends the English team's winning run to nine matches and supports their triumph over Australia the previous weekend.

The home side got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before the visitors responded with scores by Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Fly-half the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but kicked a penalty to take the visitors further ahead before Feyi-Waboso scored.

Prop Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to begin an exciting second half.

Substitutes George and Arundell, who displayed his blistering speed, finished off tries to take the hosts clear.

These tries came either side of Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli dropping the ball when attempting to score.

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

Borthwick's side now play the All Blacks this coming weekend in their toughest test on paper this fall.

Before this match, the English team had claimed victory in 8 of their nine matches with the Fijian side – 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 major turning point under the head coach.

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

After smooth attacking phases, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the first try from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul adding a quick response.

Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through monstrous first-half tackles in the center, with number fifteen Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in especial targeted.

But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the opening half as offloads sliced through the English defense for the fly-half to touch down.

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

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

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

However, after a clever line-out move was finished by Ikanivere, the coach unloaded five of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions tourists Pollock and Curry.

With the match still in the balance, Fijian number nine the halfback lost control of the ball when stretching for the goal line to cancel out replacement George's try.

Flanker Ben Earl, who scored against Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to keep a narrow lead between the teams.

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

The substitute's speed to chase down a grubber kick demonstrated exactly why England's bench is so impactful.

It is packed with top players and talent, which has helped secure wins in the closing stages that were squandered against Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will feel confident of sending a message next week.

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)