🔗 Share this article England Claims 9th Consecutive 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 four tries after halftime to beat a physical Fiji side in their second fall test match. The victory continues Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and follows up their win over the Wallabies last Saturday. The home side opened the scoring through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz. Number ten the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty goal to take the Fijians further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed. Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to begin an exciting second half. Substitutes George and Arundell, who displayed his blistering speed, finished off tries to take the hosts clear. Those scores came either side of Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when attempting to score. England captain Maro Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, grabbed the final try. Borthwick's side now meet New Zealand this coming weekend in their toughest test on paper this fall. Fiji Begin Strongly to Pressure England Before this match, the English team had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 matches with Fiji – most recently winning 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup. Their sole loss came just weeks before the competition in Europe and was a significant shift under Borthwick. With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their equal best run since the late nineties – the game was always likely to be tight. Following smooth attacking phases, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie barged 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 first-half midfield hits, with number fifteen Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in especial targeted. But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the opening half as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for the fly-half to score. Feyi-Waboso sharply finished a cross-field kick by 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 sin-binning following a video review. England's Impact Substitutes Shines Once More The English team broke clear from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the power of their bench that included six Lions tourists. A much-changed starting lineup from the win over the Wallabies did grab the next try as the prop crossed following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles against the Italians in spring. Nonetheless, after a smart line-out move was completed by the Fijian, the coach unloaded five of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions players Henry Pollock and Curry. With the game still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half the halfback fumbled of the ball when reaching for the tryline to cancel out substitute George's try. Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, a try-scorer versus the Wallabies, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to keep breathing room between the teams. It topped off another all-round impressive display by Earl, who picked up back-to-back man of the match honors. Arundell's pace to chase down a kick through showcased exactly why the English replacements is so influential. It is full of stars and quality, which has helped secure victories in the final quarter that were lost against the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn. Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident 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)