🔗 Share this article The English Team Secures Ninth Straight Victory Over Physical 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 The English squad racked up 4 tries after halftime to defeat a resilient Fiji side in their latest autumn international. The victory lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and follows up their win over the Wallabies last Saturday. England got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz. Fly-half the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but nailed a penalty to take the visitors further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored. Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to ignite an thrilling second half. Substitutes George and Henry Arundell, who showed his scintillating pace, touched down to take the hosts clear. These tries came around Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when going for the tryline. England captain Maro Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, grabbed the last touchdown. Borthwick's side now face New Zealand this coming weekend in their biggest challenge theoretically this autumn. The Fijians Start Fast to Pressure The English Before this encounter, the English team had won 8 of their 9 games with Fiji – most lately winning 30-24 in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup. That one defeat came two months prior the tournament in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach. With Fiji on a five-game streak – their joint longest streak since the late nineties – the game was always likely to be hard-fought. Following smooth attacking phases, number eight Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the opening score from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul adding a swift reply. Known as the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through huge opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in especial targeted. But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the opening half as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for the fly-half to score. The winger sharply finished a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a video review. The English Star Bench Shines Once More The English team pulled away from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the strength of their bench that contained six Lions tourists. A much-changed starting lineup 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 tearing his Achilles versus Italy in spring. However, after a clever set piece was completed by the Fijian, the coach introduced several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Tom Curry. With the match still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half the halfback lost control of the ball when reaching for the tryline to cancel out substitute the hooker's score. Breakdown specialist Earl, a try-scorer versus Australia, produced a stunning game-saving stop to maintain breathing room between the sides. It capped another outstanding overall display by the flanker, who picked up back-to-back man of the match honors. Arundell's pace to chase down a grubber kick showcased exactly why the English replacements is so influential. It is packed with stars and talent, which has helped secure wins in the final quarter that were lost against Australia and the All Blacks last autumn. Considering Scotland ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident of making a big statement this weekend. If successful, the substitutes will probably again be crucial. 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 Refereeing Team Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand) Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan) Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)