🔗 Share this article England Earns Ninth Straight Win 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 4 second-half tries to overcome a physical Fijian team in their second autumn international. The victory continues the English team's winning run to nine matches and supports their triumph over Australia last Saturday. The home side opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with tries by Ikanivere and Muntz. Number ten the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty to take the visitors further ahead before Feyi-Waboso crossed. Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to begin an thrilling second half. Substitutes George and Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, finished off tries to take the hosts clear. These tries came around Fijian halfback Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when attempting to score. England captain Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, secured the last touchdown. The English team now play New Zealand next Saturday in their biggest challenge theoretically this fall. Fiji Start Fast to Challenge The English Prior to this meeting, England had claimed victory in eight of their nine games with the Fijian side – most recently winning a close contest in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup. Their sole loss came just weeks before the tournament in France and was a significant shift under the head coach. With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their equal best streak since 1999 – the game was always expected to be hard-fought. Following 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 maul providing a quick response. Known as the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through huge first-half midfield hits, with full-back Marcus Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in particular targeted. But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the standout moment in the first forty as offloads sliced through the English defense for Muntz to touch down. Feyi-Waboso sharply finished a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take England ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a sin-binning following a video review. The English Star Bench Delivers Again England pulled away from Australia last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the impact of their replacements that included multiple Lions tourists. A significantly altered starting lineup from the win over the Wallabies did score the next try as the prop crossed following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles against the Italians in spring. However, after a smart line-out move was finished by the Fijian, Borthwick introduced five of his bench on the 54-minute mark – including Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Tom Curry. With the match still in the balance, Fijian number nine the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the goal line to cancel out substitute George's try. Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain a narrow lead between the sides. It topped off another outstanding overall performance by Earl, who picked up consecutive player-of-the-match awards. The substitute's speed to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful. It is full of top players and quality, which has aided in victories in the final quarter that were lost against Australia and the All Blacks last autumn. Considering Scotland ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of making a big statement this weekend. If successful, 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 Match Officials Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand) Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan) Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)