England finish strong again to overwhelm Fiji 38-18

LONDON :England withstood a testing physical assault from a fired-up Fiji before their Bomb Squad again helped them take control to secure a 38-18 victory at Twickenham on Saturday, their ninth successive win, and set up next week's New Zealand clash nicely.

England led 14-13 at halftime and 21-18 after an hour before their high-quality bench turned the game, just as it had in last week's win over Australia.

"It was one of the hardest games of rugby I have had to play. They have world-class players across the pitch," said flanker Ben Earl after being named man of the match for the second week in a row.

"We have to give the respect to Fiji, they brought a plan that troubled us in the first half but I think our bench was brilliant."

England were electric from the kick off and relentlessly quick rucks and sharp handling through a series of phases sent hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie over for the opening try after five minutes.

Fiji hit back almost immediately, however, as England failed to deal with a rolling maul and Tevita Ikanivere was almost untouched as he barrelled over.

Bulldozing centres Kalaveti Ravouvou and Josua Tuisova were proving a midfield menace and Fiji cut loose down the left before Caleb Muntz seized on Simione Kuruvoli’s kick to score their second try for a 10-7 lead.

FIJI'S RAVUTAUMADA GETS YELLOW CARD

England worked their way back into the game and gained an advantage when Selestino Ravutaumada was yellow-carded for a reckless mid-air challenge on Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.

A minute later the winger strolled into the space where Ravutaumada should have been to catch a Fin Smith kick for England’s second try, which Smith converted for a 14-13 halftime lead.

Two years ago a half-full Twickenham crowd jeered an insipid