England survive Fiji onslaught to reach Rugby World Cup semi-final

Owen Farrell scored a late drop goal and penalty on Sunday to send England into the Rugby World Cup semi-finals with a tense 30-24 victory over Fiji.

First-half tries from centres Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant had looked to have sent England on their way to the last four stage.

But Fiji, who scored tries through Viliame Mata, Peni Ravai and Vilimoni Botitu, produced a stirring fightback in Marseille although in the end Farrell's 20 points with the boot proved decisive.

That denied Fiji the chance to make history and a first ever last four appearance as they fell at the quarter-final stage for the third time.

It was a fierce opening to the game, with Fiji's famed tacklers to the fore, winning a couple of early turnovers.

But it was after England's first turnover, claimed by Courtney Lawes, that Farrell was able to kick a simple penalty from under the posts.

Farrell kicked England's next penalty to the corner and while Fiji held up the initial catch and drive, Tuilagi burst around the blindside to power through two tacklers, twist and stretch his arm over the line to score one-handed.

A brilliant counter-ruck from Fiji set up a penalty for the Pacific Islanders, but Frank Lomani's kick struck the post.

Lomani did not miss his next chance, though, after a no-arms tackle from Tom Curry and England led 8-3 after the first quarter.

The match seemed to have taken a decisive turn on 24 minutes as England poured forward, with Marchant stepping inside despite an overlap to score a second try.

In the build-up, though, Vinaya Habosi made head-on-head contact with Marcus Smith in the tackle and he was shown a yellow card.

Yet the 14 men rallied. Lomani missed a second penalty but soon after Fiji struck back as a clever pass through