The English Team Claims 9th Straight Win Against Tough Fijian Side

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

England scored 4 second-half tries to defeat a tough Fijian team in their second autumn international.

The victory lengthens the English team's undefeated streak to nine matches and supports their win over the Wallabies last Saturday.

The home side opened the scoring through hooker Cowan-Dickie before the visitors responded with tries by Ikanivere and Muntz.

Fly-half Muntz missed both conversions but kicked a penalty goal to take the Fijians further clear before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to ignite an thrilling final forty minutes.

Replacements George and Henry Arundell, who displayed his scintillating pace, touched down to take the English side into a comfortable lead.

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

Skipper Maro Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, scored the final try.

The English team now meet New Zealand next Saturday in their biggest challenge on paper this autumn.

Prior to this match, England had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 matches with Fiji – most recently winning a close contest in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.

Their sole loss came two months prior the competition in France and was a major turning point under Borthwick.

With Fiji on a five-game streak – their equal best streak since 1999 – the fixture was always expected to be tight.

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

Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through monstrous opening period tackles in the center, with full-back Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in especial targeted.

But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the first forty as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for Muntz to score.

The winger sharply finished a kick across the field by Smith to take England ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a sin-binning following a video review.

The English team broke clear from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the final quarter through the power of their bench that included six British and Irish Lions.

A significantly altered starting XV from the victory over the Australians did grab the next try as Genge went over following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles versus the Italians in spring.

However, after a smart line-out move was finished by Ikanivere, Borthwick introduced five of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Curry.

With the game still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to negate replacement George's try.

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

It topped off another all-round impressive display by Earl, who picked up back-to-back player-of-the-match awards.

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

It is packed with top players and quality, which has helped secure wins in the closing stages that were lost versus the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn.

Considering Scotland pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of making a big statement next week.

If successful, 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)