🔗 Share this article England Secures 9th Straight Win Against Tough 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 racked up four second-half tries to defeat a tough Fijian team in their latest fall test match. This win lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine matches and follows up their triumph over the Wallabies last Saturday. England got on the board first through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with tries by Ikanivere and Muntz. Number ten the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty goal to take the visitors further ahead before Feyi-Waboso scored. Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to begin an thrilling second half. Replacements George and Arundell, who showed his scintillating pace, touched down to take the English side into a comfortable lead. These tries came around Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli dropping the ball when attempting to score. England captain Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, grabbed the final try. Borthwick's side now face New Zealand next Saturday in their toughest test theoretically this fall. The Fijians Begin Strongly to Challenge England Before this meeting, England had won eight of their nine matches with Fiji – most lately winning a close contest in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup. That one defeat came just weeks before the competition in France and was a major turning point under the head coach. With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their joint longest streak since 1999 – the fixture was always expected to be hard-fought. Following smooth attacking phases, number eight Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the first try from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul adding a swift reply. Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through monstrous first-half midfield hits, with number fifteen Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in especial targeted. But it was the vintage attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the opening half as offloads cut England's defence open for Muntz to touch down. Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a kick across the field by Fin Smith to take England ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a bunker review. The English Star Bench Delivers Again England broke clear from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the impact of their bench that contained six British and Irish Lions. A much-changed starting XV from the win over the Wallabies did grab the following touchdown as Genge went over following a strong carry by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles tendon against Italy in March. However, after a clever line-out move was finished by Ikanivere, Borthwick introduced five of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – including Lions players Henry Pollock and Tom Curry. With the game still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when reaching for the tryline to negate substitute George's try. Flanker Earl, a try-scorer against Australia, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to maintain a narrow lead between the sides. It capped another all-round impressive performance by the flanker, who received consecutive player-of-the-match awards. The substitute's speed to race on to a kick through demonstrated exactly why England's bench is so impactful. It is full of stars and talent, which has aided in wins in the final quarter that were lost against Australia and the All Blacks last autumn. Considering Scotland ran New Zealand close, the English team will fancy their chances of making a big statement next week. If successful, the bench will probably 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)