England vs Fiji Rugby: Experimental Side Survives Scare to Secure 38-18 Bonus Win
England extended their winning streak to nine matches with a hard-fought 38-18 victory over Fiji in the Quilter Nations Series at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. Steve Borthwick’s bold experimentation paid off in the end, but not without frustration as a much-changed side trailed early and needed a powerful bench to pull away.
Key Points
- Final score: England 38-18 Fiji (HT 14-13)
- England tries: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Henry Arundell, Maro Itoje
- Fiji tries: Tevita Ikanivere (2), Caleb Muntz
- Nine consecutive wins for England – their longest streak since 2016
- Bench impact decisive: 24 points from replacements
- Attendance: 78,678 (sold out)
Match Overview
A tense first half saw Fiji’s flair cause chaos, leading 13-14 at the break despite England’s early score. The second half belonged to Borthwick’s “bomb squad” – substitutes added pace and power, turning a three-point lead into a 20-point margin. Henry Arundell’s electric try on his long-awaited return highlighted the depth England are building for the 2027 World Cup.
Bold Experiments and Fly-Half Frustration: Inside England’s Reshuffled Triumph
Steve Borthwick promised blue-sky thinking two years out from the World Cup – and delivered it against Fiji. Seven changes from the Australia win, including Fin Smith at fly-half, Marcus Smith at full-back, and Maro Itoje on the bench for the first time since 2017, created a side brimming with potential but short on cohesion early on.
The result? A rollercoaster that exposed vulnerabilities but ultimately showcased England’s growing versatility.
The Fly-Half Merry-Go-Round
Fin Smith justified his selection with a composed display: four conversions, smart game management, and crucial kicks to touch. Yet the real story was the trio’s musical chairs.
- George Ford: Rested entirely after steering summer tours
- Marcus Smith: Recalled at 15 after missing the Australia game
- Fin Smith: Handed the 10 jersey he’d craved
Assistant coach Kevin Sinfield admitted the “frustration and disgruntlement” in camp but insisted: “I’d rather manage three world-class 10s than none.” Borthwick supported Marcus Smith’s journey: “Players have bumps – we’re here to help them turn corners.”
This competition is breeding hunger. Expect more rotation against New Zealand.
Positional Gambles That Paid Dividends
- Chandler Cunningham-South: First Test start at No.8 – powerful carries justified replacing France-bound Tom Willis
- Marcus Smith at 15: Counter-attacking threat terrified Fiji; his vision unlocked transitions
- Henry Arundell: First cap since 2023 World Cup – 69th-minute try at 100mph reminded everyone of his X-factor
- Maro Itoje as finisher: Entered on 60 minutes, scored with his first touch – the ultimate luxury
Ben Earl shifted to openside, freeing Cunningham-South. The 6-2 bench (six forwards, two backs) mirrored South Africa’s World Cup blueprint, overwhelming tired Fijian legs.
| Impact Substitutes | Minutes Played | Points Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Jamie George | 40 | Try |
| Tom Curry | 40 | Lineout steals |
| Henry Pollock | 40 | Turnover pressure |
| Henry Arundell | 20 | Try |
| Maro Itoje | 20 | Try |
Fiji’s Flair Exposes Early Frailties
Fiji arrived ranked ninth globally – their highest ever – and played like it. Tevita Ikanivere’s brace and Josua Tuisova’s power had England reeling. That 2023 Twickenham humiliation (30-22) haunted the first 40 minutes.
But two yellow cards (including Tuisova’s) opened the door. England’s conditioning shone: more pace, better acceleration than 12 months ago.
Borthwick: “We’re building a team where every player can play 80 minutes. We’re not there yet – but we will be.”
Player Ratings Highlights
- Ben Earl (9/10): Man of the match – relentless
- Fin Smith (8/10): Controlled chaos perfectly
- Ollie Lawrence (8/10): Post-Achilles monster
- Fraser Dingwall (5/10): Tough night in midfield
The Road to 2027
This was “Borthersball 2.0”: faster, more athletic, brutally physical. Nine wins buy breathing space for experiments. Depth is growing – 23 players who can slot anywhere.
Next: New Zealand (15 November). The real test of whether frustration has forged flexibility.
England didn’t just beat Fiji – they survived them, then destroyed them. The World Cup countdown just got exciting.
