The English Team Earns 9th Straight 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 scored 4 second-half tries to defeat a tough Fijian team in their latest autumn international.

The victory extends the English team's undefeated streak to nine matches and backs up their triumph over the Wallabies last Saturday.

England got on the board first through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz.

Number ten the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but kicked a penalty to take the Fijians further ahead before Feyi-Waboso scored.

Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to begin an entertaining final forty minutes.

Replacements Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who demonstrated his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts clear.

Those scores came either side of Fijian halfback Kuruvoli spilling the ball when attempting to score.

Skipper Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, grabbed the last touchdown.

The English team now play the All Blacks this coming weekend in their toughest test on paper this fall.

Before this match, the English team had claimed victory in 8 of their nine games with the Fijian side – most lately taking a close contest in the last eight of the last global tournament.

Their sole loss came just weeks before the tournament 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 expected to be tight.

After slick phase play, back rower Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker forced his way over for the opening score from short distance, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul adding a quick response.

Known as the Flying Fijians, that was apparent in defence through huge first-half midfield hits, with full-back Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the standout moment in the opening half as offloads sliced through the English defense for the fly-half to score.

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

The English team broke clear from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the strength of their replacements that contained six Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting XV from the win over the Wallabies did score the next try as Genge crossed following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles tendon versus Italy in spring.

However, after a clever set piece was completed by Ikanivere, the coach unloaded five of his bench on the 54th minute – including Lions players Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the match still up for grabs, Fijian number nine the halfback lost control of the ball when reaching for the tryline to negate replacement George's try.

Breakdown specialist Earl, who scored against Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain a narrow lead between the teams.

It capped another outstanding overall display by the flanker, who picked up back-to-back man of the match honors.

Arundell's pace to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why the English replacements is so influential.

It is full of stars and quality, which has aided in victories in the final quarter that were squandered versus Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

Considering the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will feel confident of making a big statement 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)