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 four second-half tries to defeat a tough Fijian team in their second autumn international.
This win continues Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine matches and follows up their triumph over Australia the previous weekend.
England opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz.
Number ten the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but kicked a penalty goal to take the Fijians further clear before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.
Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to spark an thrilling second half.
Replacements Jamie George and Arundell, who demonstrated his blistering speed, finished off tries to take the English side clear.
Those scores came around Fijian halfback Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when attempting to score.
Skipper Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, secured the last touchdown.
The English team now meet New Zealand this coming weekend in their biggest challenge theoretically this autumn.
Fiji Begin Strongly to Pressure The English
Before this match, England had claimed victory in 8 of their nine games with the Fijian side – most lately winning 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.
That one defeat came just weeks before the competition in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach.
With the Pacific Islanders on a five-match winning run – their equal best run since 1999 – the game was always expected to be competitive.
Following slick phase play, back rower Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the first try from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul providing a swift reply.
Known as the flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through monstrous opening period midfield hits, with full-back Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in especial picked out.
But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the first forty as offloads cut England's defence open for the fly-half to score.
The winger sharply finished a kick across the field by Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a video review.
England's Star Bench Delivers Again
The English team pulled away from Australia last Saturday in the final quarter through the impact of their replacements that included multiple British and Irish Lions.
A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Australians did score the following touchdown as Genge crossed following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles against Italy in spring.
However, after a smart line-out move was completed by Ikanivere, Borthwick introduced several of his bench on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players Henry Pollock and Curry.
With the match still up for grabs, Fijian number nine the halfback lost control of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out substitute George's try.
Flanker Ben Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to keep a narrow lead between the sides.
It topped off another all-round impressive performance by Earl, who picked up consecutive player-of-the-match awards.
Arundell's pace to chase down a kick through showcased exactly why the English replacements is so influential.
It is full of top players and talent, which has helped secure wins in the final quarter that were squandered versus the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall.
Considering the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, the English team will fancy their chances of sending a message next week.
Should they win, the substitutes will likely again be crucial.
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)
