🔗 Share this article England Claims Ninth Straight Victory Over 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 England notched 4 second-half tries to beat a physical Fiji side in their latest autumn international. This win lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and backs up their win over Australia the previous weekend. The home side got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with tries by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz. Number ten the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but kicked a penalty to take the Fijians further ahead before Feyi-Waboso crossed. Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to spark an thrilling second half. Substitutes George and Henry Arundell, who displayed his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts clear. Those scores came around Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli dropping the ball when attempting to score. Skipper Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, secured the final try. Borthwick's side now face New Zealand this coming weekend in their biggest challenge on paper this autumn. The Fijians Begin Strongly to Challenge England Before this match, England had won eight of their nine games with the Fijian side – most recently winning 30-24 in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup. Their sole loss came just weeks before the tournament in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach. With Fiji on a five-game streak – their joint longest run since the late nineties – the game was always likely to be hard-fought. Following slick phase play, back rower Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker forced his way over for the opening score from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a maul adding a quick response. Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through powerful opening period midfield hits, with full-back Marcus Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in particular picked out. But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the first forty as offloads sliced through the English defense for the fly-half to score. Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take the hosts into the lead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a bunker review. The English Star Bench Delivers Again The English team broke clear from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the final quarter through the impact of their bench that contained multiple Lions tourists. A significantly altered starting XV from the win over the Wallabies did score the next try as the prop went over following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles versus the Italians in spring. However, after a clever line-out move was completed by the Fijian, the coach unloaded several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions tourists Pollock and 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 the hooker's score. Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, who scored against the Wallabies, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to keep a narrow lead between the sides. It capped another outstanding overall performance by Earl, who picked up consecutive player-of-the-match awards. Arundell's pace to chase down a kick through showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential. It is full of stars and talent, which has helped secure wins in the final quarter that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks last autumn. Given Scotland ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will feel confident of sending a message next week. Should they win, the bench will probably 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)