England vs Fiji LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Pacific Islanders secure historic win
England take on Fiji at Twickenham in their final Rugby World Cup warm-up fixture
England hit a new low ahead of the Rugby World Cup after suffering a first ever defeat to Fiji.
The Pacific Islanders were deserved 30-22 winners on a stormy afternoon at Twickenham, thriving in testing conditions as England were beaten for the first time by a Tier Two nation.
It was a day where little went right for England after a bright start, with Steve Borthwick’s side struggling at the set piece and failing to consistently trouble a physical, accurate visiting defence.
Selestino Ravutaumada and Waisea Nayacalevu were among the stars in Fijian white as they danced to 27 second half points on a famous day for Pacific Island rugby.
And Simon Raiwalui’s team, who were missing Levani Botia and Josua Tuisova, must surely now be considered contenders to make a semi final at least at the tournament in France, with Wales, Australia and Georgia all eminently beatable in Pool C.
Borthwick and England, meanwhile, will head to their World Cup training base in Le Touquet on Thursday having won just once in their last six games.
England open their Pool D efforts against Argentina on Saturday 9 September.
Follow all the latest from England vs Fiji below.
England 8-0 Fiji, 14 minutes
Fiji get themselves in a bit of a tangle but an England knock on spares their blushes. The visitors’ scrum just about remains stable as Dan Cole and Ellis Genge again try to put the pressure on, allowing a clearance up to Freddie Steward.
Steward hoists high...and England have it back, Fiji’s backfield all over the place with Max Malins in pursuit. A kick is flipped over the top for May to hare after, but Selestino Ravutaumada turns swiftly enough to beat the England win to the bouncing ball.
England 8-0 Fiji, 11 minutes
The heavens have most definitely opened, with great buckets of water tumbling down. Alex Mitchell has started well, weighting his second box kick nicely to allow May another chance to contest, before finding the corner with a box for territrory that skips out of play 15 metres from the Fiji line.
TRY! ENGLAND 8-0 Fiji (Jonny May try, 10 minutes)
Back in the side with a try!
England’s forwards lay the platform, Ellis Genge and Dan Cole winning their scrum-time skirmishes and letting the backs go to work with an advantage in their pocket. A wide pass from George Ford lands in Jonny May’s hands and the wing puts his foot down, unfurling a fierce fend to the chest of Selestino Ravutaumada to power over in the corner.
England 3-0 Fiji, 8 minutes
A chip ahead lands at Fijian feet, which toe it forward into a teammate. The ball ricochets to Lawrence in an advanced position but support is lacking and England can’t make more of their lucky break - back for a scrum for accidental offside.
England 3-0 Fiji, 7 minutes
Jonny May shows off his ability in the air, rising with excellent amplitude to gather a high bomb on the left. England sweep to the right, where Ollie Lawrence injects tempo with a jab off the right boot and acceleration between a couple of defenders.
PENALTY! ENGLAND 3-0 Fiji (George Ford penalty, 6 minutes)
A straightforward starter for George Ford, who pops it through with minimal fuss.
England 0-0 Fiji, 4 minutes
That’s better from the hooker, thrusting and threatening as a midfield carrier after England earn possession back. Jaco Peyper has an arm of advantage extended with Fiji offside at the lineout - and when England’s attack comes to zilch, George Ford points at the posts...
England 0-0 Fiji, 3 minutes
But England’s ambitions are capped by an errant Theo Dan throw.
England 0-0 Fiji, 2 minutes
But Courtney Lawes answers his former Northampton teammate’s turnover with one of his own, spearing breakdown ball as Fiji fail to make ground near halfway. England kick down into Fiji’s 22.
England 0-0 Fiji, 1 minute
Frank Lomani takes the kick off, with his clearance shorter than he’d like. England can attack from about 30 metres out.
Manu Tuilagi almost bashes in the front door with his first carry and the hosts start to work the phases. Tuilagi carries again on an out-to-in line, stepping off his right foot, but Lomani latches over the ball superbly to win the turnover. This Fijian fifteen are pretty much all useful jackalers, with so many of them honing their ability over the ball in sevens.
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