🔗 Share this article England Secures 9th Straight Victory Against Tough Fiji 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 four second-half tries to overcome a resilient Fijian team in their latest autumn international. The victory lengthens the English team's undefeated streak to nine games and backs up their win over the Wallabies the previous weekend. The home side opened the scoring through hooker Cowan-Dickie before the visitors responded with tries by Ikanivere and Muntz. Number ten the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but nailed a penalty goal to take the Fijians further clear before Feyi-Waboso scored. Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to begin an entertaining final forty minutes. Replacements George and Arundell, who demonstrated his scintillating pace, finished off tries to take the English side into a comfortable lead. Those scores came either side of Fijian halfback Kuruvoli spilling the ball when attempting to score. England captain Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, scored the final try. Borthwick's side now face New Zealand this coming weekend in their biggest challenge theoretically this autumn. Fiji Start Fast to Challenge The English Prior to this match, the English team had won eight of their 9 games with Fiji – most recently taking a close contest in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup. That one defeat came just weeks before the tournament in France and was a significant shift under Borthwick. With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their joint longest run since 1999 – the fixture was always expected to be tight. Following smooth attacking phases, back rower Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker forced his way over for the first try from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul providing a swift reply. Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was evident in defense through huge opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Smith, used as a second playmaker, in particular targeted. But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the first forty as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for the fly-half to score. Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a kick across the field by Smith to take England into the lead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a bunker review. England's Star Bench Shines Once More England pulled away from the Wallabies last Saturday in the final quarter through the impact of their replacements that contained six British and Irish Lions. A much-changed starting lineup from the victory over the Australians did grab the following touchdown as the prop went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles against the Italians in spring. However, after a clever set piece was finished by the Fijian, the coach introduced several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players Pollock and Curry. With the match still in the balance, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when reaching for the tryline to cancel out substitute the hooker's score. Breakdown specialist Earl, a try-scorer versus the Wallabies, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to keep breathing room between the teams. It capped another all-round impressive performance by Earl, who picked up consecutive player-of-the-match awards. Arundell's pace to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why England's bench is so impactful. It is packed with stars and talent, which has aided in victories in the final quarter that were squandered versus the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn. Given Scotland pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will feel confident of making a big statement this weekend. Should they win, the bench will probably play another key factor. Line-ups 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 Refereeing Team Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand) Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan) Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)