🔗 Share this article England Claims Ninth Straight Victory Against Physical Fiji 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 The English squad scored 4 tries after halftime to beat a resilient Fijian team in their latest autumn international. The victory lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine matches and backs up their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend. The home side opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with tries by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz. Fly-half the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but kicked a penalty goal to take the visitors further clear before Feyi-Waboso crossed. Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to begin an entertaining final forty minutes. Substitutes George and Arundell, who showed his scintillating pace, finished off tries to take the hosts into a comfortable lead. These tries came around Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli dropping the ball when attempting to score. Skipper Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, grabbed the final try. The English team now meet the All Blacks this coming weekend in their biggest challenge on paper this autumn. The Fijians Begin Strongly to Pressure The English Before this meeting, the English team had claimed victory in 8 of their nine games with Fiji – most recently winning 30-24 in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup. Their sole loss came just weeks before the competition in France and was a significant shift under the head coach. With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their joint longest run since the late nineties – the game was always expected to be competitive. Following slick phase play, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the first try from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul providing a swift reply. Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was apparent in defence through powerful first-half midfield hits, with full-back Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in particular picked out. But it was the vintage attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the first forty as offloads cut England's defence open for Muntz to touch down. The winger sharply finished a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a bunker review. England's Star Bench Delivers Again The English team broke clear from the Wallabies last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the strength of their replacements that included multiple Lions tourists. A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Wallabies did score the following touchdown as the prop went over following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles tendon versus the Italians in March. Nonetheless, after a smart set piece was finished by Ikanivere, Borthwick unloaded several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions players 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 substitute George's try. Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to maintain breathing room between the teams. It capped another all-round impressive display by the flanker, who received back-to-back man of the match honors. The substitute's speed to race on to a kick through showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful. It is packed with top players and quality, which has helped secure wins in the final quarter that were squandered versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall. Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will feel confident of making a big statement this weekend. If successful, the substitutes will likely play another key factor. Team Sheets 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)