England secured a ninth-successive victory after beating Fiji at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham.
The hosts scored first through Luke Cowan-Dickie with Fin Smith adding the conversion. Just three minutes later, however, and England gave away a penalty for obstruction which allowed Fiji to kick up field, secure line-out ball and drive for the line; Ikanivere broke off and darted over opening the scoring for the visitors. It was unconverted and so England kept a narrow lead.
As the Flying Fijians started to live up to their name, England began missing tackles. Some fancy footwork from the visitors allowed Muntz to cross the whitewash, pulling Fiji into the lead. The fly-half then extended their advantage with an additional three points after Alex Coles was penalised for playing the scrum-half and slowing down access to the ball.
Fiji was going toe-to-toe with England until Ravutaumada was shown yellow for tackling Feyi-Waboso high in the air; the England winger landed flat on the ground. Ravutaumada waited nervously as his card went for a bunker review. Meanwhile England took full advantage of the missing Fijian defender; dragging in the defence to open up space on the far wing. A cross-field kick was gathered by Feyi-Waboso and placed over the try-line. Fin Smith added his second conversion of the game and England retook the lead albeit by a single point going into half-time.
Half-Time at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham: England 14 – 13 Fiji
The hosts extended their lead in the second 40-minutes after they ran the ball from deep and quick recycling near the try-line allowed captain Ellis Genge to dart over with Fin Smith making it three conversions from three. Later replays and the sly look from the prop question whether Genge actually made the line or whether the ball was held up. The Television Match Official was not called into play and the try stood.
Fiji continued the fight and England were penalised for obstruction. This indiscipline allowed the visitors to kick for touch before securing line-out ball. As everyone was focussed on the maul, Ikanivere ran up the blindside and scored his brace. The try went unconverted but the visitors were back within three points of the hosts.
It was anyone’s game before the replacements were summoned and England solidified their lead. The pressure from the hosts forced three penalties in quick succession; Tuisova was the unfortunate visitor issued with the yellow card for accumulated penalties. The strength of the rolling maul continued for the hosts and Jamie George, fresh from the bench, dropped over the whitewash for the try. This time it went unconverted.
No sooner had England extended their lead than Kuruvoli found his way through the defensive line and scored; at least he thought he had. The replay on the big screen caused the Television Match Official to intervene as it looked as though Fiji knocked-on before placing the ball. No try.
More misery arrived for the visitors as they attempted a cross-field kick. They could not reclaim the ball but England and Harlequin Marcus Smith gathered and kicked on allowing the fresh feet of Henry Arundell to chase, gather and place the ball over the try-line. A second miss for Fin Smith but England were now pulling away on the scoreboard.
Itoje added the sixth try for the hosts and Fin Smith refocussed, adding the conversion and securing a 20-point lead over Fiji with just five minutes remaining.
The visitors continued to fight to the end but were unable to make any more impact on the game.
England’s Ben Earle was named Player of the Match.
Full-time at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham: England 38 – 18 Fiji
Missed conversions and ill-discipline from Fiji had profound effects on the game but ultimately the strength of England’s bench and unity of the squad as a whole saw the hosts through the challenges.
Next week England face New Zealand.
