The English Team Earns 9th Consecutive Victory 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 notched four second-half tries to overcome a resilient Fijian team in their second fall test match.

The victory extends Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and follows up their win over the Wallabies last Saturday.

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

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

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to begin an exciting final forty minutes.

Substitutes Jamie George and Arundell, who displayed his blistering speed, finished off tries to take the hosts into a comfortable lead.

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

England captain Maro Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, secured the last touchdown.

The English team now face the All Blacks next Saturday in their biggest challenge on paper this fall.

Before this meeting, England had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 matches with the Fijian side – most recently winning a close contest in the last eight of the last global tournament.

That one defeat came just weeks before the competition in France and was a major turning point under the head coach.

With Fiji on a five-game streak – their equal best run since the late nineties – the game was always likely to be competitive.

Following smooth attacking phases, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the first try from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul adding a swift reply.

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

But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the standout moment in the opening half as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for the fly-half to touch down.

The winger expertly collected a kick across the field by Fin Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a bunker review.

The English team pulled away from the Wallabies last Saturday in the final quarter through the strength of their bench that included six British and Irish Lions.

A much-changed starting XV from the win over the Wallabies did grab the next try as the prop went over following a strong carry by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles tendon versus the Italians in spring.

Nonetheless, after a smart set piece was finished by Ikanivere, the coach unloaded five of his bench on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players 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 the hooker's score.

Flanker Ben Earl, a try-scorer against Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to keep breathing room between the teams.

It topped off another outstanding overall display by Earl, who picked up consecutive man of the match honors.

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

It is packed with stars and talent, which has aided in victories in the final quarter that were lost against the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn.

Given the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident of sending a message this weekend.

Should they win, 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)