🔗 Share this article England Secures 9th Straight Win Over Physical 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 4 tries after halftime to beat a tough Fiji side in their second autumn international. The victory continues Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and supports their win over the Wallabies the previous weekend. England opened the scoring 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 slotted a penalty to take the Fijians further clear before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored. Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to begin an entertaining final forty minutes. Replacements Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who demonstrated his scintillating pace, touched down to take the English side into a comfortable lead. Those scores came either side of Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli dropping the ball when going for the tryline. Skipper Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, scored the final try. Borthwick's side now face the All Blacks this coming weekend in their toughest test theoretically this autumn. The Fijians Start Fast to Challenge The English Prior to this meeting, the English team had won eight of their nine games with Fiji – most recently taking a close contest in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament. That one defeat came just weeks before the tournament in France and was a significant shift under the head coach. With the Pacific Islanders on a five-match winning run – their equal best streak since 1999 – the game was always likely to be competitive. Following smooth attacking phases, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker barged over for the opening score from short distance, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul adding a quick response. Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through powerful first-half midfield hits, with full-back Marcus Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in particular picked out. But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the first forty as offloads sliced through the English defense for the fly-half to score. Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a kick across the field by Smith to take England into the lead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a video review. England's Star Bench Shines Once More The English team pulled away from the Wallabies last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the impact of their replacements that included multiple Lions tourists. A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Wallabies did grab the next try as the prop went over following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles versus Italy in spring. However, after a clever line-out move was completed by the Fijian, Borthwick unloaded five of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions players Pollock and Curry. With the match still in the balance, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when reaching for the goal line to negate substitute the hooker's score. Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, who scored against Australia, produced a stunning game-saving stop to maintain breathing room between the teams. It capped another all-round impressive display by the flanker, who received consecutive man of the match honors. The substitute's speed to race on to a kick through showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful. It is packed with stars and quality, which has helped secure wins in the closing stages that were lost against the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall. Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will feel confident of sending a message this weekend. Should they win, 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 Match Officials Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand) Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan) Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)