England clash with Fiji again in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals today.
It is a chance for swift and sweet revenge for Steve Borthwick’s side over the Pacific Islanders, who stunned Twickenham with a famous 30-22 win in the warm-ups back in August.
Australia have since become Fiji’s biggest victims as they squeezed into the quarter-finals for the first time in 16 years via a shock Pool A defeat by Portugal in which they managed to salvage a crucial losing bonus point.
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW ENGLAND VS FIJI LIVE!
England endured a nervy final outing of the pool stage themselves, only beating Samoa by a single point to maintain their 100 per cent record, though the result with a full-strength team sparked renewed concerns over their progress.
Defeat in Marseille would leave Borthwick’s team contending with their fears turning into reality. It would mean a second major upset in this banana-skin fixture in a matter of weeks, and a third early exit from the last four World Cups.
Date, kick-off time and venue
England vs Fiji takes place today on Sunday October 15, 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 4pm BST.
The Stade Velodrome in Marseille will host the match.
Where to watch England vs Fiji
TV channel: In the UK, today’s game is available to watch live and free to air on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 3pm.
Live stream: Fans can also catch the quarter-final action live online via the ITVX website and app.
Live blog: Follow the game this afternoon with Standard Sport’s live blog, featuring expert analysis from rugby correspondent Nick Purewal at the ground.
England vs Fiji team news
Key changes have been made by England, with Borthwick opting to return captain Owen Farrell to fly-half and boldly start Marcus Smith for just the second time in his new position at full-back, with George Ford dropping to the bench and Freddie Steward not even in the matchday squad.
Joe Marchant returns from out wide to the centres to partner Manu Tuilagi, with Elliot Daly lining up on the wing, opposite Jonny May.
England’s pack is unchanged, with Dan Cole preferred to Kyle Sinckler in the front row, while Billy Vunipola also has to once again settle for a place among the replacements.
Fiji go with 10 of the players that started the sensational win over England at Twickenham in the build-up to this tournament.
Temo Mayanavanua has been ruled out due to a knee injury, with former London Irish veteran Api Ratuniyarawa called up as his replacement but he does not make the matchday squad.
Tevita Ikanivere makes his first start of the World Cup, having come off the bench in every pool-stage match, while Semi Radradra comes back in on the wing.
England vs Fiji lineups
England XV: Smith; May, Marchant, Tuilagi, Daly; Farrell (c), Mitchell; Genge, George, Cole; Itoje, Chessum; Lawes, Curry, Earl
Replacements: Dan, Marler, Sinckler, Martin, Vunipola, Care, Ford, Lawrence
Fiji XV: Droasese; Habosi, Nayacalevu (c), Tuisova, Radradra; Lomani, Botitu; Mawi, Ikanivere, Tagi; Nasilasila, Tuisue; Tagitagivalu, Botia, Mata
Replacements: Matavesi, Ravai, Doge, Derenalagi, Miramira, Kuruvoli, Masi, Maqala
England vs Fiji referee
Mathieu Raynal of France leads a cosmopolitan line-up for the officiating in Marseille. Aussie Nic Berry and Frenchman Pierre Brousset will run the lines, with Wales’ Ben Whitehouse the TMO.
England vs Fiji prediction
Kicking could be the key to this game, with Fiji having felt the effects of star fly-half Caleb Muntz’s absence in their pretty middling efforts in front of the posts during the tournament.
Similarly, for England the decision to go with Farrell over Ford at 10 could prove the deciding factor in whether Borthwick’s team sinks or swims in this game.
Fiji may have shocked the Red Rose men in the build-up to this tournament but their handling of the opener against Argentina showed they are perhaps better suited to the big game, when the chips are down and doubters most vocal.
England to win, by five to 10 points.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
The Red Rose’s perfect record in this fixture was ruined by a shocking Twickenham defeat ahead of this World Cup.
England wins: 7
Fiji wins: 1
Draws: 0
England vs Fiji latest odds
England to win: 3/10
Fiji to win: 11/4
Draw: 30/1
