The English Team Claims Ninth Consecutive Win Against Physical Fiji

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 racked up 4 second-half tries to overcome a tough Fiji side in their latest fall test match.

This win lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine matches and backs up their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend.

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

Number ten Muntz missed both conversions but kicked a penalty goal to take the visitors further clear before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored.

Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to begin an thrilling second half.

Substitutes George and Arundell, who demonstrated his scintillating pace, finished off tries to take the English side into a comfortable lead.

These tries came either side of Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli dropping the ball when going for the tryline.

Skipper Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, grabbed the last touchdown.

Borthwick's side now play New Zealand this coming weekend in their biggest challenge on paper this fall.

Before this match, England had claimed victory in eight of their 9 games with Fiji – most lately taking 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.

That one defeat came two months prior the tournament in Europe and was a significant shift under Borthwick.

With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their joint longest run since 1999 – the game was always likely to be competitive.

After slick phase play, back rower Chandler 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 driving maul adding a quick response.

Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through monstrous first-half midfield hits, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the first forty as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for Muntz to touch down.

The winger sharply finished a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a sin-binning following a video review.

England broke clear from Australia last Saturday in the final quarter through the power of their bench that contained multiple Lions tourists.

A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Australians did score the following touchdown as Genge went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles tendon versus the Italians in spring.

However, after a clever set piece was finished by Ikanivere, the coach introduced several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players Pollock and Curry.

With the game still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the goal line to negate substitute the hooker's score.

Flanker Earl, who scored against Australia, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to keep breathing room between the teams.

It capped another all-round impressive display by the flanker, who received consecutive player-of-the-match awards.

The substitute's speed to chase down a kick through showcased exactly why the English replacements is so influential.

It is full of stars and talent, which has aided in wins in the final quarter that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

Given the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, the English team will feel confident of sending a message this weekend.

If successful, the substitutes 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)