🔗 Share this article England Secures Ninth Consecutive Victory Against Tough 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 England scored 4 second-half tries to overcome a resilient Fiji side in their latest fall test match. This win lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and follows up their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend. The home side opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before the visitors answered back with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz. Fly-half the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but kicked a penalty goal to take the visitors further clear before Feyi-Waboso crossed. Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to ignite an entertaining second half. Substitutes George and Henry Arundell, who displayed his scintillating pace, touched down to take the English side into a comfortable lead. These tries came around Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli dropping the ball when attempting to score. Skipper Maro Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, grabbed the final try. Borthwick's side now meet the All Blacks next Saturday in their biggest challenge theoretically this fall. The Fijians Start Fast to Challenge The English Before this match, England had claimed victory in eight of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most recently taking a close contest in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup. Their sole loss came just weeks before the competition in Europe and was a significant shift under the head coach. With the Pacific Islanders on a five-match winning run – their joint longest run since 1999 – the game was always expected to be hard-fought. Following smooth attacking phases, number eight 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 adding a quick response. Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was apparent in defense through huge first-half tackles in the center, with full-back Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in especial picked out. But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair 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 kick across the field by Fin Smith to take the hosts into the lead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a video review. The English Impact Substitutes Delivers Again The English team pulled away from Australia last Saturday in the final quarter through the strength of their replacements that contained multiple Lions tourists. A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Wallabies did grab the next try as Genge crossed following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles tendon against the Italians in spring. However, after a smart line-out move was completed by the Fijian, the coach unloaded several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions players Pollock and Curry. With the match still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when reaching for the goal line to negate replacement George's try. Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, who scored against Australia, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to keep breathing room between the teams. It topped off another outstanding overall performance by the flanker, who picked up back-to-back player-of-the-match awards. The substitute's speed to race on to a grubber kick demonstrated exactly why England's bench is so impactful. It is full of stars and talent, which has helped secure victories in the final quarter that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall. Given Scotland pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of sending a message this weekend. Should they win, the bench will likely 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)