England Claims 9th Straight Victory Against Physical 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

The English squad notched four second-half tries to beat a physical Fijian team in their latest fall test match.

The victory extends the English team's undefeated streak to nine matches and backs up their win over Australia the previous weekend.

England got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before the visitors answered back with tries by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Number ten the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but nailed a penalty to take the Fijians further clear before Feyi-Waboso crossed.

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

Substitutes Jamie George and Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts clear.

These tries came around Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when attempting to score.

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

Borthwick's side now meet New Zealand next Saturday in their toughest test theoretically this fall.

Prior to this meeting, the English team had claimed victory in eight of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most lately winning 30-24 in the last eight of the last global tournament.

That one defeat came two months prior the competition in Europe and was a major turning point under Borthwick.

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

Following smooth attacking phases, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the opening score from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a maul providing a swift reply.

Known as the flying Fijians, that was apparent in defense through monstrous opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Smith, used as a second playmaker, in especial targeted.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the opening half as offloads cut England's defence open for Muntz to touch down.

Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take England ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a bunker review.

The English team pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the impact of their replacements that included multiple British and Irish Lions.

A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Wallabies did score the next try as Genge crossed following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles tendon versus the Italians in March.

Nonetheless, after a clever set piece was finished by the Fijian, the coach unloaded five of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions players Pollock and Curry.

With the match still in the balance, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to negate substitute George's try.

Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, a try-scorer versus Australia, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to keep a narrow lead between the teams.

It topped off another all-round impressive performance by Earl, who picked up consecutive man of the match honors.

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

It is full of stars and talent, which has aided in victories in the final quarter that were lost versus the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall.

Considering Scotland ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of sending a message next week.

If successful, the bench 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)