🔗 Share this article England Claims 9th Straight Win Over Physical Fijian Side 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 The English squad notched 4 second-half tries to beat a physical Fijian team in their latest autumn international. The victory continues Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and supports their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend. The home side got on the board first through Luke Cowan-Dickie before the visitors answered back with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz. Number ten Muntz failed to convert either try but kicked a penalty goal to take the Fijians further clear before Feyi-Waboso crossed. Prop Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to spark an entertaining second half. Substitutes Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who showed his scintillating pace, finished off tries to take the hosts into a comfortable lead. These tries came around Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli spilling the ball when going for the tryline. Skipper Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, grabbed the last touchdown. Borthwick's side now play the All Blacks next Saturday in their toughest test theoretically this fall. The Fijians Begin Strongly to Pressure The English Prior to this meeting, the English team had claimed victory in eight of their nine games with Fiji – most lately taking 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup. That one defeat came two months prior 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 joint longest run since 1999 – the fixture was always expected to be tight. Following slick phase play, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the first try from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul adding a quick response. Known as the flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through powerful first-half midfield hits, with full-back Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in especial targeted. But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the standout moment in the first forty as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for Muntz to score. The winger sharply finished a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take England ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a video review. England's Star Bench Shines Once More The English team broke clear from the Wallabies last Saturday in the final quarter through the power of their replacements that contained multiple Lions tourists. A significantly altered starting XV from the victory over the Australians did score the next try as Genge went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles tendon versus Italy in March. However, after a smart set piece was finished by the Fijian, the coach introduced five of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – including Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Tom Curry. With the game still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half the halfback lost control of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out replacement the hooker's score. Breakdown specialist Earl, a try-scorer against Australia, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to maintain a narrow lead between the teams. It capped another all-round impressive performance by Earl, who picked up consecutive player-of-the-match awards. The substitute's speed to chase down a grubber kick demonstrated exactly why England's bench is so influential. It is full of top players and talent, which has helped secure wins in the closing stages that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall. Given the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will feel confident of sending a message this weekend. If successful, the bench will probably play another key factor. 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)