🔗 Share this article The English Team Claims Ninth Straight Victory 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 The English squad notched 4 tries after halftime to defeat a resilient Fiji side in their latest autumn international. The victory continues Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine matches and supports their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend. The home side opened the scoring through hooker Cowan-Dickie before the visitors responded with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz. Fly-half the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty goal to take the Fijians further ahead before Feyi-Waboso crossed. Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to ignite an exciting final forty minutes. Substitutes George and Henry Arundell, who displayed his blistering speed, finished off tries to take the English side clear. These tries came either side of Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli spilling the ball when going for the tryline. England captain Itoje, who also came off the bench, grabbed the last touchdown. The English team now play New Zealand this coming weekend in their toughest test theoretically this fall. The Fijians Begin Strongly to Pressure England Before this encounter, England had won eight of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most lately taking a close contest in the last eight of the last global tournament. That one defeat came just weeks before the competition in France and was a major turning point under Borthwick. With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their joint longest streak since 1999 – the game was always expected to be hard-fought. After slick phase play, number eight Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker barged over for the first try from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul providing a swift reply. Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through powerful first-half midfield hits, with full-back Smith, used as a second playmaker, in especial picked out. But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the first forty as offloads cut England's defence open for Muntz to touch down. The winger sharply finished a cross-field kick by Smith to take the hosts into the lead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a bunker review. England's Impact Substitutes Shines Once More The English team broke clear from Australia last Saturday in the final quarter through the strength of their replacements that included multiple Lions tourists. A much-changed starting lineup from the victory over the Australians did grab the following touchdown as the prop went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles against Italy in March. Nonetheless, after a clever set piece was completed by the Fijian, Borthwick introduced several of his bench on the 54-minute mark – including Lions players Pollock and Tom Curry. With the match still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when stretching for the goal line to negate replacement the hooker's score. Breakdown specialist Earl, a try-scorer against the Wallabies, produced a stunning game-saving stop to maintain breathing room between the teams. It topped off another all-round impressive display by Earl, who picked up consecutive man of the match honors. The substitute's speed to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential. It is packed with stars and talent, which has helped secure victories in the closing stages that were squandered against Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall. Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident of making a big statement next week. Should they win, the substitutes will likely 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)