🔗 Share this article England Claims 9th Straight Win 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 notched four second-half tries to defeat a physical Fijian team in their latest autumn international. This win continues the English team's undefeated streak to nine games and follows up their triumph over Australia last Saturday. The home side got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before the visitors answered back with tries by Ikanivere and Muntz. Number ten the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but nailed a penalty to take the visitors further clear before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored. Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to ignite an entertaining final forty minutes. Replacements George and Arundell, who demonstrated his scintillating pace, touched down to take the English side clear. Those scores came around Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli dropping the ball when attempting to score. Skipper Maro Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, secured the last touchdown. The English team now meet New Zealand next Saturday in their toughest test theoretically this fall. The Fijians Begin Strongly to Pressure England Before this meeting, the English team had claimed victory in 8 of their nine matches with Fiji – most recently winning a close contest 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-match winning run – their joint longest run since the late nineties – the fixture was always likely to be tight. After smooth attacking phases, number eight Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the opening score from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul adding a swift reply. Known as the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through monstrous first-half tackles in the center, with number fifteen Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in particular picked out. But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the opening half as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for Muntz to score. Feyi-Waboso sharply finished a kick across the field by Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a video review. The English Impact Substitutes Delivers Again England pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the impact of their replacements that contained multiple British and Irish Lions. A much-changed starting lineup from the victory over the Australians did grab the next try as Genge went over following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles versus the Italians in spring. However, after a clever set piece was completed by Ikanivere, Borthwick unloaded five of his bench on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players Pollock and Curry. With the match still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when stretching for the goal line to cancel out replacement the hooker's score. Breakdown specialist Earl, who scored against Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to keep a narrow lead between the teams. It capped another outstanding overall performance by Earl, who received back-to-back player-of-the-match awards. The substitute's speed to chase down a grubber kick demonstrated exactly why the English replacements is so impactful. It is full of stars and quality, which has helped secure wins in the final quarter that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall. Considering Scotland ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident of making a big statement next week. If successful, the bench 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)