England withstood a testing physical assault from a fired-up Fiji before their ‘Pom Squad’ again helped them take control to secure a 38-18 victory, their ninth successive win, and set up next week's New Zealand clash nicely.
The match was full of effervescent rugby and shuddering hits and England were ahead by only three points after an hour before taking command with three late tries.
England led 14-13 at half-time after tries for Luke Cowan-Dickie and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, with Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz replying for a Fiji team seeking to repeat their historic 2023 Twickenham success, their first win over England.
Ellis Genge and Ikanivere exchanged tries before England’s bench took over with Jamie George, Henry Arundell and Maro Itoje crossing the line to ensure the final scoreline suggested a more comfortable day than the hosts had had.
Relive all the action with our live blog below:
England vs Fiji live
- England beat Fiji 38-18 with second-half surge to extend winning streak to nine Tests
- REPORT: England survive Fiji fright — but vast improvements are required as All Blacks clash looms
- 75' - TRY! Itoje leaps over the ruck from close range to score (ENG 38-18 FIJ)
- 70' - TRY! Arundell scores on international return as pure pace gets him to the ball first (ENG 31-18 FIJ)
- 61' - TRY George dots down after a maul rumbles over (ENG 26-18 FIJ)
- 38' - TRY! Feyi-Waboso collects F Smith's cross-field kick and calmly finished (ENG 14-13 FIJ)
- 24' - TRY! Muntz latches on to Kuruvoli's kick to give Fiji the lead (ENG 7-10 FIJ)
Ollie Lawrence: 'It's a special day for me'
20:00 , Luke BakerCentre Ollie Lawrence, who made his England return today after a long spell out injured, spoke after the game.
“Everything that happened in the Six Nations was tough, coming back was hard but put it into perspective and the journey it had been,” he said.
“You're always going to have obstacles in life, my mindset was to attack it and to make sure I could get back here for the autumn games.
“I’m nowhere near the finished product but I made a promise to myself to make sure I got better each day, so that I could be on this field with the lads today.
“It's a special day for me. Sometimes you can take for granted being in the jersey and it's important to remember it's never yours, you're only borrowing it. I was really grateful to be back here to see the stadium packed and to be back out there with the boys - I can't really put it into words.”
Ben Earl: 'It was one of the hardest games of rugby I have had to play.'
19:49 , Luke BakerBen Earl was named man of the match after that victory and has given his thoughts to TNT Sports after the game.
“It was one of the hardest games of rugby I have had to play. They have world-class players across the pitch and credit to our boys for getting the win.
"I think we are trying to grow our game week on week. You can see we will continue to get better.
“Each opposition brings different opportunities. It is called a Test match for a reason and they tested us with their gameplan. We have to give the respect to Fiji, they brought a plan that troubled us in the first half but the bench were fantastic and everyone from one to 23 was great.”
England survive Fiji fright — but vast improvements are required as All Blacks clash looms
19:42 , Luke BakerIt was scratchy, sloppy and scattergun at times but England roll into an encounter with New Zealand that will define their November with their winning run still intact.
Steve Borthwick and his staff will not necessarily take great heart from an evening against Fiji where more went wrong than right but there can be no greater runway on which to build speed into a collision with the All Blacks than a smooth approach of nine consecutive victories.
Stunned by the Pacific Islanders on Fiji’s last trip to Twickenham, England avoided the ignominy of a repeat defeat that would have dispirited their autumn.
A few of those exiting Allianz Stadium at the end many have still felt a degree of frustration, and perhaps familiarity, England’s bench again to the fore to put a hard-fought contest beyond doubt.
Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s full report from Allianz Stadium:
England survive Fiji fright — but vast improvements are required as All Blacks loom
FULL-TIME! England 38-18 Fiji
19:30 , Luke BakerAll over here at Allianz Stadium and, in the end, a comfortable enough victory for England.
Things were a bit nervy for the first 50 minutes or so as the Fijians were incredibly impressive but England’s bench - the ‘Pom squad’ - did their job and dominated the final quarter to pull away.
A healthy final scoreline and nine wins on the spin for England. Job done, with the All Blacks awaiting next week
England 38-18 Fiji, 78 mins
19:28 , Luke BakerFinal knocking here in southwest London and this one is over. The Fijians look out on their feet - even the impressive Ravouvou, who has been brilliant in the centres, now knocks on.
TRY! England 38-18 Fiji (Maro Itoje, 75 mins)
19:25 , Luke BakerMore joy for England! Arundell continues his impressive impact, rising highest to snatch the ball in the air just outside the 22.
He surges down the left wing and although his offload inside is intercepted, England quickly win it back. Hard yards made by Earl to within a metre of the line and Maro Itoje goes high! Leaping over Fijian defenders who have gone low to stop him to dot down the try.
Grins from the England captain and the scoreboard is a lot healthier now
England 31-18 Fiji, 73 mins
19:23 , Luke BakerWhat a moment for Henry Arundell on his return to international rugby
England 31-18 Fiji, 72 mins
19:22 , Luke BakerThe attendance is in and it’s 78,678 at Allianz Stadium. That’s a pretty decent effort.
TRY! England 31-18 Fiji (Henry Arundell, 70 mins)
19:20 , Luke BakerSome return to international rugby for Henry Arundell!
A Fijian cross-field kick pass just evades Maqala and bounces to Marcus Smith on the left touchline in his own half. He hoofs down the line but has no chance of getting there himself.
However, out of nowhere, Arundell comes steaming through, makes up 10 metres on Maqala and Ravouvou, surges past them, kicks the ball further on and dives on it over the line. Pure pace causing havoc.
England 26-18 Fiji, 67 mins
19:16 , Luke BakerSpencer replaces Mitchell at scrum half for England, who nearly earn a 50:22 with a glorious kick but the ball was just passed back into their own half, so it’s a Fiji lineout instead.
Now, a return to international rugby after two years away as Henry Arundell comes on for Freeman.
'Kuruvoli will be cursing the weather'
19:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz StadiumMore thoughts from Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz Stadium
“Whew - England very, very fortunate there, though credit to Ben Earl and Marcus Smith for getting back in desperation to make that double cover-tackle.
“Earl's speed was evident as he shut down the space, while Simione Kuruvoli might curse a dry day of weather - a bit more moisture in the surface and he surely would have slid over without the ball jarring free.”
NO TRY! England 26-18 Fiji, 63 mins
19:11 , Luke BakerAlmost the most spectacular of responses from Fiji! It’s glorious play as Maqala makes a devastating break from inside his own half and offloads to Kuruvoli.
Kuruvoli desperately tries to sprint to the line and he’s tackled from behind by Earl about five metres short but his momentum bounces him towards the whitewash.
As he tries to reach out to dot down from the floor, the ball just comes loose and goes agonisingly forward before the downward pressure – as confirmed by the TMO review.
England 25-18 Fiji, 62 mins
19:08 , Luke BakerEngland will want to calm things down and control this now
TRY! England 26-18 Fiji (Jamie George, 61 mins)
19:06 , Luke BakerAnd England are over the line! Great work by Alex Coles to crunch a hole in the Fijian maul defence which England can press through.
The maul is then moving and rumbles over the line, where Jamie George steers it across and flops on the ball for the try.
Tricky conversion from Fin Smith wide on the left and he can’t bring it back inside the right post.
SIN-BIN! England 21-18 Fiji (Josua Tuisova, 60 mins)
19:04 , Luke BakerGeorge predictably on the money from the lineout and Earl carries well to blast England within a couple of metres.
Another penalty and it’s worse news for Fiji as Josua Tuisova is pinged and he’ll be sent to the sin-bin. A big loss.
Fin SMith kicks to the corner and we go again...
England 21-18 Fiji, 59 mins
19:02 , Luke BakerFiji respond by bringing on an all-new front row themselves but England come again. Good work in attack and another penalty kicked to the corner
England 21-18 Fiji, 56 mins
19:01 , Luke BakerAs Harry rightly says, England have brought their forward replacements on en masse - the so-called ‘Pom squad’ out in force. Jamie George, Fin Baxter, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Tom Curry and Henry Pollock all on.
England win a penalty inside the Fiji 22 and although it would be an easy three, they go to the corner. However, the hosts can’t take advantage as they knock the ball on at the maul.
'Here come the Pom squad'
18:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz StadiumMore thoughts from Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz Stadium
“Ellis Genge is absolutely right to protest that Fiji left the lineout early there, but that detail aside, it was a nifty bit of work at the front from the Pacific Islanders, showing again how they have developed their set-piece threat.
“Only Caleb Muntz's inaccuracy from the tee is keeping England in front - but here come the so-called "Pom Squad" - no, I'm no fan - with five fresh bench replacements sent on together again in their gleaming, Persil-white shirts.”
TRY! England 21-18 Fiji (Tevita Ikanivere, 52 mins)
18:57 , Luke BakerEr... No they can’t! Fiji hit back immediately!
Hands up if you had Fiji scoring two driving maul tries on your bingo card. Now hands down, you liar!
But that’s exactly what they’ve done. They win the penalty and kick to the corner. The lineout is well-executed, the maul is rolling and Tevita Ikanivere peels off to charge over for his second try! The Fijian hooker having a field day.
Muntz hooks his conversion across the face of the posts though, so the deficit is three points.
England 21-13 Fiji, 50 mins
18:55 , Luke BakerEngland in control here now. Can they pull away?
TRY! England 21-13 Fiji (Ellis Genge, 49 mins)
18:54 , Luke BakerOllie Lawrence, that is sublime! Fin Smith drifts through a hole to set England on the front foot and then passes to Lawrence who does brilliantly. The centre hands off one tackle, jinks past another man and then dummies before carrying tacklers with him to five metres out.
Mitchell should release the ball wide after that but tries to go himself, however a couple of phases later, Ellis Genge lunges for the line and burrows his way over! The captain for the day is enjoying himself more than his previous two outings as skipper (the record Twickenham defeat to France and a loss to Wales...). Smith adds the extras
England 14-13 Fiji, 47 mins
18:50 , Luke BakerMarcus Smith tries to buy a penalty on the floor after diving on a loose ball but made no attempt to get to his feet. Penalty Fiji instead.
England turn it over in response though, as Tuisova runs through a Cowan-Dickie arm tackle but is caught by Cunningham-South who rips the ball free. I think the Harlequins back-rower was on the floor when he did that to be honest... But he got away with it.
England 14-13 Fiji, 44 mins
18:47 , Luke BakerGood defence by England. Fiji set up camp in the 22 but the white wall stays firm and Alex Coles pinches the turnover before Fin Smith thumps clear. That’s a win for the defence.
Cowan-Dickie is then pinged for a neck roll though, twisting his man. So another decent platform for the Fijians.
We’re now back at 15 vs 15 as Selestino Ravutaumada comes back on after his sin-bin. He’ll be grateful to be back on the pitch
England 14-13 Fiji - STAYS A YELLOW CARD
18:45 , Luke BakerNews of the bunker review and Selestino Ravutaumada’s sin-bin will remain just a yellow. “He landed on his front, not a high degree of danger” says the referee. He’s a lucky boy...
I’ll tell you who’s not a lucky boy - Caleb Muntz! Gets absolutely smashed by Cunningham-South after claiming a loose ball.
England 14-13 Fiji, 42 mins
18:43 , Luke BakerRayasi has gone down heavily on halfway after taking a high ball and Feyi-Waboso, who was the one brought down illegally in the air in the first half, is the man to commit this penalty.
KICK-OFF! England 14-13 Fiji
18:41 , Luke BakerBack underway at Allianz Stadium
WATCH: First-half highlights
18:38 , Luke BakerSome of the key moments from that first half
💪 Guy Pepper CRUNCH 💥
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 8, 2025
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Fiji take the lead! 🇫🇯
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 8, 2025
The offload, chip and finish 🔥
📺 TNT Sports & Discovery+ pic.twitter.com/D7tGXfwTcV
🎯 Pinpoint from Fin Smith and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso picks his spot to step and finish.
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 8, 2025
📺 Watch every #QuilterNS match live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusuk pic.twitter.com/Yj4tdaJTR6
Selestino Ravutaumada sees yellow for reckless takeout
18:35 , Luke BakerThis was the moment Selestino Ravutaumada was sin-binned. As you can see, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso isn’t even remotely close to being on the ground...
The Fijian winger could be in big trouble
'England are pretty fortunate to lead at the interval '
18:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz StadiumSome half-time thoughts from Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz Stadium
“Ellis Genge had a long chat with referee Paul Williams as the players exited at the interval, the stand-in England captain clearly not feeling that his side were getting the rewards they might be.
“Fiji have gone hard at both breakdowns, and generally been on the right side of the officials until that last passage before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's try.
“How England needed that score, though - although the phases leading up to it were rather illustrative of their problems as they failed to work the ball to edges with some costly moments of inaccuracy.
“You'd say they are pretty fortunate to lead at the interval - how soon does Steve Borthwick go to another strong bench?”
HALF-TIME! England 14-13 Fiji
18:28 , Luke BakerThis is thrillingly poised at half-time. Cowan-Dickie went over early on for England but Fiji hit back to take a surprise lead.
However, just before half-time Ravutaumada was sin-binned for a sickening tackle in the air on Feyi-Waboso who then scored a try in the corner soon after as England snatched the lead back.
It will be interesting to see how long Fiji are down to 14 men for. Could be the first five minutes of the second half, the first 15 or the rest of the match. The bunker will decide
England 14-13 Fiji, 40 mins
18:25 , Luke BakerFiji will try to run this clock out and get into half-time to regroup. It’s been a solid first half for them on the whole
TRY! England 14-13 Fiji (Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 38 mins)
18:25 , Luke BakerEngland take immediate advantage being a man up. They go through the phases and work into the 22.
With a penalty coming, Fin Smith chips a cross-field kick that Immanuel Feyi-Waboso waits to bounce, catches on the touchline then steps inside the covering defender and goes over. Classy finish from the in-form winger.
Smith then nails the conversion from out wide and England lead once more
SIN-BIN! England 7-13 Fiji (Selestino Ravutaumada, 36 mins)
18:22 , Luke BakerOOOOOOOH! That is a horrible, mid-air collision. Selestino Ravutaumada absolutely clatters into Feyi-Waboso at the apex of his jump. The England winger spins in the air and fortunately gets his arms down so he doesn’t land on his head.
But the groans around the stadium tell the story. It’s reckless, frankly dangerous and an immediate yellow for Ravutaumada. The bunker will review and he might be in even more trouble
England 7-13 Fiji, 34 mins
18:19 , Luke BakerEngland build off a scrum and a probing kick through just bounces into touch with Freeman in hot pursuit.
Still a lineout deep in their own territory for Fiji and they do the fundamentals well enough to clear but England respond by mauling into the 22 from their own lineout.
Then another error though! Cowan-Dickie sneaks down the blindside, pops to Mitchell but his pass to Freeman hits the deck. Expected his winger to be right in support and he wasn’t.
'England lack leadership in scattergun start'
18:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz StadiumMore from Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz Stadium
“There is plenty of experience out there for England but they are perhaps just lacking a little leadership in this scattergun start.
“They've played with applaudable ambition but tended to lose their connection as the phase count grows, and then looked a little lost.
“A couple of charges from Chandler Cunningham-South and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso have got the crowd going - though the former was perhaps guilty of eschewing men outside him as he went it alone from a promising position. Fiji's scramble defence, conversely, has been excellent.”
England 7-13 Fiji, 32 mins
18:16 , Luke BakerSloppy stuff from England - they make their sixth handling error of the game (Fiji, by contrast, have made one) as Lawrence hands off one man but his offload is too far in front of Feyi-Waboso and it bounces forward off the winger’s outstretched hand. Frustrating.
England need to find a way to regain control here.
PENALTY! England 7-13 Fiji (Caleb Muntz, 29 mins)
18:12 , Luke BakerGood game management from Fiji. They win the penalty well within kicking distance and Caleb Muntz points to the posts.
No mistake from the No 10 as he slots it to extend the lead.
WATCH: Fiji take the lead with stunning try
18:11 , Luke BakerThe second Fijian try was vintage stuff from the Pacific Islanders
Fiji take the lead! 🇫🇯
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 8, 2025
The offload, chip and finish 🔥
📺 TNT Sports & Discovery+ pic.twitter.com/D7tGXfwTcV
England 7-10 Fiji, 26 mins
18:09 , Luke BakerEngland counter from the kick-off and good play sees them into the 22 but then they give up the turnover.
Freeman then chases an up-and-under but arrives early and take Muntz in the air for a penalty
TRY! England 7-10 Fiji (Caleb Muntz, 24 mins)
18:08 , Luke BakerFiji at their best! WHAT A TRY! Wainiqolo hitch kicks down the left to get half a yard on Freeman and gets his hands free to pop the pass inside.
More brilliant work by Sowakula with the carry and offload to Kuruvoli, who chips over the top. He’s taken out by Marcus Smith off the ball as he chases but it doesn’t matter because Caleb Muntz collects, goes for the line and his second effort allows him to stretch out for the score.
England 7-5 Fiji, 23 mins
18:05 , Luke BakerTuisova fending off would-be tacklers with disdain! You know what to expect from Fiji but can you stop it? They keep flinging the ball about and asking the question.
England 7-5 Fiji, 21 mins
18:04 , Luke BakerAll a bit scrappy at the moment with lots of ambition but the execution not quite there from both sides.
Powerful carries by Fiji, notably Mayanavanu, but England responding in kind as Pepper clatters Rayasi when he’s getting the ball away and forces the mistake. Pepper absolutely looks to the manor born when it comes to international rugby, by the way
England 7-5 Fiji, 18 mins
17:59 , Luke BakerSome classic Fijian all-court rugby in transition as flanker Pita Gus Sowakula produces a gorgeous, no-look, one-handed pass behind his back to the supporting Selestino Ravutaumada.
But an overhand , basketball-esque flick then goes forward.
'England missed Maro Itoje's maul defence'
17:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz StadiumMore from Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz Stadium
“This is the first time since November 2017 that Maro Itoje has been named on an England bench, a sign of his quality, consistency and durability.
“England missed his maul defence for the Fiji try - that was very, very weak from the hosts, which will have head coach Steve Borthwick (a maul menace himself in his playing days, of course) ticking.”
England 7-5 Fiji, 14 mins
17:56 , Luke BakerSloppy from England as Earl knocks on trying to play quick ball in the 22. The second time they’ve squandered a red-zone opportunity already
In better memories for the hosts, here’s the moment Cowan-Dickie scored the opening try
England 7-5 Fiji, 13 mins
17:55 , Luke BakerGood hands from England as Earl, Freeman and Cunningham-South all involved and making ground on carries.
They go the other way and Lawrence dabs a kick through that Salesi Rayasi slides to gather, pops to Muntz and he’s tackled into touch.
TRY! England 7-5 Fiji (Tevita Ikanivere, 10 mins)
17:53 , Luke BakerFiji on the board! The maul rolls to about five metres out and hooker Tevita Ikanivere peels off, spots green grass in front of him and surges to the line for the try.
Caleb Muntz can’t add the extras but a good start from the visitors.
England 7-0 Fiji, 9 mins
17:51 , Luke BakerFeyi-Waboso pinged fro blocking the man as he went to claim a high ball and Fiji kick to the corner from the penalty.
The lineout is solid and the maul starts rolling towards the line
TRY! England 7-0 Fiji (Luke Cown-Dickie, 7 mins)
17:49 , Luke BakerAnd there’s the try! After Cunningham-South powers England to five metres, Mitchell half-dummies and pops to Freeman for more front-foot ball.
Luke Cowan-Dickie then takes advantage as he keeps the legs churning to squirm over the line. Conversion added and England are up and running
England 0-0 Fiji, 6 mins
17:47 , Luke BakerLovely delay on the pass from one Smith to the other - Fin to Marcus - as England crash into the 22. Pepper with a barrelling carry before Fin Smith again frees Cunningham-South this time.
The blue Fijian wall being tested here
'Fiji will benefit from club/country cohesion'
17:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz StadiumHere’s Rugby Correspondent extraordinaire Harry Latham-Coyle, for us at Allianz Stadium today.
“England finished off Australia with a few meaty mauls last week, and looked for a while there like they might be picking up where they left off.
“But credit to Fiji for re-steeling when the drive got rolling there - lineout defence is an area where a forward pack predominantly drawn from the Fijian Drua will benefit from the club/country cohesion.”
England 0-0 Fiji, 3 mins
17:44 , Luke BakerCunningham-South rises to claim the lineout but it takes a while for the maul to grind into action. It soon stutters and Fiji win the turnover! That was good maul defence.
The chance slips by for England. Steve Borthwick undoubtedly furiously making notes about that.
England 0-0 Fiji, 2 mins
17:43 , Luke BakerGood speed of ball from England, powerful carry by Joe Heyes and they win a penalty. Kick to the corner and what an early platform for the hosts
KICK-OFF! England v Fiji
17:41 , Luke BakerUnderway at Allianz Stadium. Marcus Smith boots the ball into the southwest London night sky.
What do England’s new-look team have for us today?
Kick-off not far away
17:35 , Luke BakerThe teams are out at Allianz Stadium. Steve Borthwick looked suitably exercised during England’s warm-ups earlier
England vs Fiji
17:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz Stadium, TwickenhamIt’s an extended pre-match build-up at Twickenham today, the Aliianz Stadium crowd treated to a pre-match lights show with the Last Post, anthems and Fijian Cibi dance all still to come, of course. Ticket sales were a little slow for this game but it looks pretty close to full, aided by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) giving some away to some clubs.
England vs Fiji match officials
17:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleReferee: Paul Williams (NZ)
ARs: Luc Ramos (Fra) & Katsuki Furuse (Jpn)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Sco)
FPRO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
England wary of Fiji's jackal threat
17:15 , Harry Latham-CoylePlenty of this Fijian squad have come up through the sevens circuit, where you see a lot of players hone their jackalling ability with ball carriers isolated more often. It means there is plenty of breakdown threat across the park within the Pacific Islanders side, with Steve Borthwick explaining a stylistic difference in their efforts in how the outside defender often gets over the ball rather than the man on the inside, which is the trend among other nations.
England’s attacking ruck detail wasn’t at its best last weekend, with Fraser McReight particularly causing problems. They’ll want to improve their speed of ball and get their attacking backline firing today.
Fiji's dangerous backline
17:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere is all sorts of threat in this Fiji backline, from the exceptionally evasive Jiuta Wainiqolo to the more muscular stylings of Josua Tuisova at 12. Sireli Maqala has been one of the best players in the Top 14 at Bayonne over the last couple of seasons, but can’t even crack the starting side - which shows their strike-running threat.
As ever, Caleb Muntz will be key in keeping them moving. The young fly half was outstanding on Fiji’s last trip to Twickenham before his World Cup was curtailed with a serious injury - can he get Fiji flying again today?
Meet history buff Joe Heyes, the Leicester and England prop infatuated with Dan Cole
16:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere is another start on the tighthead for Joe Heyes this evening, with the prop continuing a proud, long lineage of Leicester Tigers scrummagers. Want to know a little bit more about the history-obsessed Heyes, who could have been an Irish international?
How history buff Heyes is continuing Leicester and England’s rich front-row lineage
Team news - Fiji
16:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleFiji complement a relatively settled squad built around a core based domestically with the Drua with a few useful additions from the Top 14 and Prem Rugby. Jiuta Wainiqolo, Josua Tuisova and Selestino Ravutaumada add particular strike-running threat in the backline with Caleb Muntz, so impressive in the win at Twickenham two years ago, stationed at fly half.
Saracens’ Eroni Mawi and Bristol pair Viliame Mata and Kalaveti Ravouvou will lock horns with club colleagues.
Fiji XV: 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 3 Mesake Doge; 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 5 Temo Mayanavanua; 6 Kitione Salawa, 7 Elia Canakaivata, 8 Viliame Mata; 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 10 Caleb Muntz; 11 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 12 Josua Tuisova, 13 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada; 15 Salesi Rayasi.
Replacements: 16 Zuriel Togiatama, 17 Haereti Hetet, 18 Samuela Tawake, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Motikai Murray; 21 Sam Wye, 22 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 23 Sireli Maqala.
Team news - England
16:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleSteve Borthwick has made sweeping changes to the England side that beat Australia, some enforced, some not. Injuries to Freddie Steward and Tom Roebuck necessitate a new-look back three, with Marcus Smith brought in and Tommy Freeman reverting to the wing. Ollie Lawrence takes Freeman’s place in the centres as Fin Smith starts at fly half.
In the pack, there is no Maro Itoje, with the lock on an England bench for the first time since 2017. Ellis Genge is thus named co-captain and will lead the run-on side, while Chandler Cunningham-South is given a big opportunity at No 8.
England XV: 1 Ellis Genge (co-capt.), 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Joe Heyes; 4 Alex Coles, 5 Ollie Chessum; 6 Guy Pepper, 7 Ben Earl, 8 Chandler Cunningham-South; 9 Alex Mitchell, 10 Fin Smith; 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Tommy Freeman; 15 Marcus Smith.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 19 Maro Itoje (co-capt.), 20 Tom Curry, 21 Henry Pollock; 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Henry Arundell.
Taking the field in our second @QuilterNations clash 👊
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 6, 2025
Head coach Steve Borthwick has named his match day squad to face Fiji this Saturday 🌹@O2 | #WearTheRose
‘Brilliant’ Marcus Smith backed to bring cutting edge to England attack
16:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleSteve Borthwick expects the return of Marcus Smith to bring a ruthless streak to England’s attack against Fiji at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
Smith is one of seven new faces in the starting XV following a successful start to the autumn against Australia, with Fin Smith selected ahead of George Ford at fly-half and Ollie Lawrence returning at outside centre after recovering from Achilles surgery.
‘Brilliant’ Marcus Smith backed to bring cutting edge to England attack
England A beaten by All Blacks XV
16:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere has already been one defeat for an England side today, their ‘A’ team going down 31-14 to an All Blacks XV at a packed-out Rec. A good crowd, but an error-prone performance from a side thrown together this week against a New Zealand outfit who already had a game in the legs.
Can Fiji continue to improve?
16:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt was a bit of a strange year for the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby Pacific, slipping down the table as head coach Glenn Jackson - yes, the former Test referee and Saracens fly half - prioritised the development of some younger players within the squad. Still, though, the structure that the side provides feels hugely beneficial to the nation, and they retained their Pacific Nations Cup crown with a hard-fought win over Japan in September.
Fiji also pushed Australia close, of course, just before the Lions series began.
Autumn internationals 2025: Results, fixtures and schedule in full
16:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleWant to keep tabs on every Quilter Nations Series result in a busy November of international action? We’ve got you covered:
Autumn internationals 2025: Results, fixtures and schedule in full
Guy Pepper reveals the key to England’s dominant defensive performance against Australia
15:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland kicked off their autumn campaign with a win over Australia last weekend, with a few attacking misfires frustrating even amid a strong start. There was no doubting, though, the quality of their defensive effort.
Pepper reveals the key to England’s dominant defensive performance against Australia
Ben Earl, Andre Esterhuizen and what rugby’s hybrid players tell us about the future of the sport
15:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleBen Earl is one of a number of forwards in England camp cross-training in the backline, while South Africa have gone the other way, again utilising centre Andre Esterhuizen as back row cover for their massive meeting with France later tonight. Why? Here’s an in-depth look at the hybrid player trend.
Earl, Esterhuizen and what hybrid players tell us about the future of rugby
‘I hate the term hybrid’: How Ben Earl is embracing the future with England
15:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleA reshaped backline it may be for England but there is no start, yet, for Ben Earl at 12, even with Steve Borthwick admitting last week that he was considering it for this Fiji clash. Earl is happy to play wherever for his country - and as he told me when we sat down together ahead the autumn, he believes the challenges of playing back row and centre are overstated:
‘I hate the term hybrid’: How Ben Earl is embracing the future with England
The message Marcus Smith’s selection sends ahead of England vs Fiji
15:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe selection of Marcus Smith at full-back comes with Elliot Daly still sidelined as he works his way back from the broken arm sustained on the Lions tour and Freddie Steward still struggling a little with a hand issue suffered against Australia. But Smith’s selection perhaps served another purpose for Steve Borthwick, too:
The message Marcus Smith’s selection sends ahead of England vs Fiji
Fin and Marcus Smith start in much-changed England team to face Fiji
15:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s a new-look England team named to take the field today, partly out of necessity, partly not. Starts for the Smiths are interesting, nonetheless:
Fin and Marcus Smith start in much-changed England team to face Fiji
Ellis Genge and England channel Fiji frustration ahead of unorthodox autumn challenge
15:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleListening to stand-in England captain Ellis Genge speak this week, it was clear that he and his squadmates haven’t forgotten what Fiji did on their last trip to Twickenham...
Ellis Genge and England channel Fiji frustration ahead of unorthodox autumn challenge
England vs Fiji live
Wednesday 5 November 2025 09:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleAfter eight successive wins, England will hope to keep the good times rolling as they welcome Fiji to Allianz Stadium this afternoon. Steve Borthwick’s side have found a good groove over the last few months, with a bench stuffed with talent overpowering Australia a week ago to start their November with a success.
Can they extend their streak? Or can the Pacific Islanders spring another shock having made history on their last visit to Twickenham? Kick off is at 5.40pm GMT.
