England Claims 9th Consecutive Win 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

England scored four second-half tries to beat a tough Fiji side in their second fall test match.

The victory lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and backs up their triumph over Australia last Saturday.

The home side opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before the visitors responded with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz.

Fly-half Muntz missed both conversions but nailed a penalty to take the visitors further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored.

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

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

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 last touchdown.

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

Prior to this encounter, the English team had won 8 of their 9 matches with the Fijian side – 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 the head coach.

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

Following smooth attacking phases, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the opening score 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 defense through huge first-half midfield hits, with full-back Smith, used as a second playmaker, in particular picked out.

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 Muntz to score.

The winger expertly collected a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take England into the lead 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 Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the strength of their replacements that contained multiple Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting XV from the win over the Wallabies did score the next try as the prop went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles against Italy in March.

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

With the game still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out replacement the hooker's score.

Flanker Earl, a try-scorer against the Wallabies, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to maintain breathing room between the sides.

It topped off another all-round impressive performance by Earl, 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 helped secure victories in the closing stages that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

Given the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, the English team will fancy their chances of sending a message this weekend.

If successful, the bench 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)