🔗 Share this article The English Team Earns 9th Straight Victory Over 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 The English squad notched four second-half tries to beat a tough Fiji side in their second fall test match. The victory lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and follows up their win over the Wallabies last Saturday. England got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before the visitors responded with tries by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz. Fly-half Muntz failed to convert either try but nailed a penalty to take the Fijians further ahead before Feyi-Waboso scored. Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to begin an entertaining second half. Substitutes Jamie George and Arundell, who demonstrated his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts clear. These tries came either side of Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli spilling the ball when attempting to score. England captain Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, scored the final try. The English team now play New Zealand this coming weekend in their biggest challenge on paper this fall. Fiji Begin Strongly to Pressure The English Prior to this meeting, England had claimed victory in eight of their nine matches with Fiji – most lately winning a close contest in the last eight of the last global tournament. That one defeat came two months prior the competition in France and was a significant shift under Borthwick. With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their equal best run since 1999 – the fixture was always likely to be tight. Following smooth attacking phases, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker barged over for the first try from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul providing a swift reply. Known as the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through monstrous first-half midfield hits, with full-back Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in especial picked out. But it was the vintage attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the first forty as offloads sliced through the English defense for Muntz to score. The winger 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 given a sin-binning following a video review. The English Impact Substitutes Shines Once More The English team broke clear from Australia last Saturday in the final quarter through the power of their bench that included multiple British and Irish Lions. A significantly altered starting lineup from the victory over the Australians did score the next try as Genge crossed following a strong carry by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles tendon against Italy in March. However, after a smart set piece was completed by Ikanivere, the coach introduced five of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players Pollock and Curry. With the game still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half the halfback lost control of the ball when stretching for the goal line to negate substitute the hooker's score. Flanker Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain a narrow lead between the teams. It capped another outstanding overall display by Earl, who received consecutive man of the match honors. The substitute's speed to chase down a grubber kick showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful. It is full of top players and talent, which has helped secure victories in the final quarter that were lost against Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall. Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, the English team will fancy their chances of sending a message this weekend. Should they win, the bench will likely 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)