England see off Fiji to make it nine wins in a row

England’s centre Ollie Lawrence makes a break (Photo credits: AFP)

England posted a ninth successive win as they ran in six tries to beat Fiji 38-18 at Twickenham on Saturday.

The game was in the balance when England led 21-18 heading into the final quarter.

But, as was the case during England’s 25-7 Autumn Nations opening win over Australia at Twickenham last weekend, their bench, notably the ‘bomb squad’ of replacement forwards, had a decisive impact.

England ended a hard-fought first-half just 14-13 ahead thanks to tries from Luke Cowan-Dickie and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, both converted by Fin Smith.

Fiji scored tries through skipper Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz, neither of which Muntz converted, although the fly-half did land a penalty.

England added four more tries after the break through co-captain Ellis Genge and replacements Jamie George and Henry Arundell, with regular skipper Maro Itoje coming off the bench to wrap things up five minutes from time.

But with England leading 26-18 in the 63rd minute, Fiji scrum-half Simione Kuruvoli had a try between the posts disallowed for a knock-on.

AFP