Preview: England v Fiji
Everything you need to know ahead of England's final Summer Series fixture against Fiji at Twickenham.
Courtney Lawes will win his 100th cap as England captain against Fiji in the last of England’s Summer Nations Series games before the start of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
QUIZ: Test your England v Fiji knowledge
| When? | Saturday, 26 August |
| Where? | Twickenham Stadium |
| Kick off | 15:15 BST |
| Where can I watch? | Amazon Prime Video |
Lawes brings up his century of England appearances having made his debut as a 20-year-old against Australia in 2009.
Nine changes have been made to the starting lineup that faced Ireland last weekend. In the front row, Theo Dan gets his first England start at hooker, where he is joined alongside by Ellis Genge and Dan Cole.
Ollie Chessum receives his first start since the 2023 Guinness Six Nations after recovering from an ankle injury partnering Maro Itoje in the second row. Jack Willis makes his first start of the series at openside flanker, with skipper Lawes on the blindside and Ben Earl at the back completing the starting forward pack.
Scrum-half Alex Mitchell partners George Ford at 10 and in the centres, Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence combine. In the back three, Jonny May replaces Anthony Watson on the left wing for the first time this summer with Max Malins on the right and Freddie Steward taking his place at fullback.
Hooker Jack Walker is named amongst the replacements alongside Joe Marler, Will Stuart, David Ribbans, Lewis Ludlam, Danny Care, Marcus Smith, and Joe Marchant.
VIEWS FROM CAMP
Steve Borthwick: “All of the Summer Nations Series Test matches have provided us with an opportunity to continue our preparations for the Rugby World Cup in France.
"Fiji have proven themselves to be a strong opposition and we look forward to what we expect to be an exciting and challenging game. Rest assured that we will be looking to convert the opportunities we have recently been creating week-on-week into points on the scoreboard."
TEAMS
England
15. Freddie Steward, 14. Max Malins, 13. Ollie Lawrence, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 11. Jonny May, 10. George Ford, 9. Alex Mitchell, 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Theo Dan, 3. Dan Cole, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Ollie Chessum, 6. Courtney Lawes (C), 7. Jack Willis, 8. Ben Earl
Replacements
16. Jack Walker, 17. Joe Marler, 18. Will Stuart, 19. David Ribbans, 20, Lewis Ludlam, 21. Danny Care, 22. Marcus Smith, 23. Joe Marchant
Fiji
15. Ilaisa Droasese, 14. Selestino Ravutaumada, 13. Waisea Nayacalevu, 12. Semi Radradra, 11. Vinaya Habosi, 10. Caleb Muntz, 9. Frank Lomani 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Sam Matavesi 3. Luka Tagi, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 6. Albert Tuisue, 7. Lekima Tagitagivalu, 8. Viliame Mata
Replacements
16. Zuriel Togiatama, 17. Jone Koroiduadua, 18. Samu Tawake, 19. Temo Mayanavanua, 20. Vilive Miramira, 21. Simione Kuruvolia, 22. Teti Tela, 23. Kalaveti Ravouvou
STATS
England have won all seven of their previous Test matches against Fiji, scoring 25+ points and leading at half-time in each of those fixtures.
Fiji have won three of their last four Test matches after losing four in a row previously and have scored 2+ tries in each of their last 12 games, including 4+ tries in each of those three wins.
England’s most recent win against Fiji came by a margin of 43 points (58-15 in November 2016), their heaviest ever win against them.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS
2016 – England 58-15 Fiji
2012 - England 54-12 Fiji
1999 - England 45-24 Fiji
1991 - Fiji 12-28 England
1989 - England 58-23 Fiji
1988 - Fiji 12-25 England
FIXTURES & RESULTS
Summer Series
England v Fiji - 26 August - Twickenham
Rugby World Cup 2023
England v Argentina - 9 September - Marseille
England v Japan - 17 September - Nice
England v Chile - 23 September - Lille
England v Samoa - 7 October – Lille
Related topics
- Attack
- T - Tries
- M - Metres carried
- C - Carries
- DB - Defenders beaten
- CB - Clean breaks
- P - Passes
- O - Offloads
- TC - Turnovers conceded
- TA - Try assists
- PTS - Points
- Defence
- Tackles - Tackles
- MT - Missed tackles
- TW - Turnovers won
- Kicking
- K - Kicks in play
- C - Conversions
- PG - Penalty goals
- DG - Drop goals
- Set plays
- TW - Throws won
- LW - Lineouts won
- LS - Lineout steals
- Discipline
- PC - Penalties conceded
- RC - Red cards
- YC - Yellow cards
Fiji beat England in Summer Series at Twickenham
Fiji recorded a first-ever win over England coming out on top at Twickenham 22-30.
Fiji recorded a first-ever win over England coming out on top at Twickenham 22-30.
Despite tries from Jonny May, Marcus Smith and Joe Marchant, as well as seven points from the boot of George Ford, England were unable to topple an inspired Fiji side.
Ford knocked a penalty over on the five-minute mark, and May crossed the whitewash moments later, claiming a 36th Test try on his return to the international scene. It came from a scrum in the middle of the field, and Ford opted to attack left, taking the ball to the line before spinning a pass in front of Ollie Lawrence into the path of May, who handed off Selestino Ravutaumada before dotting down to make it 8-0.
On 18 minutes Fiji fly-half Caleb Muntz cut the deficit with a penalty from 50 metres, and despite a downpour, the visitors began to throw the ball around and looking to offload out of tackles. Outside centre Waisea Nayacalevu had a try ruled out for a forward pass, and on the stroke of half time prop Eroni Mawi was shown a yellow card - though England were unable to capitalise with the extra man before the break.
Half time stats showed a game Fiji side, as the Pacific Islanders boasted a higher share of possession (52%), whilst making 16 more carries, 91 more metres and 12 more passes, as well as beating seven more defenders than Steve Borthwick's men.
The Fijians had a blistering start to the second half, Ravutaumada rounded May and squared up Freddie Steward before hitting Nayacalevu on the inside, and the centre duly cantered over the line. Muntz added the extras to make it 8-10 as the visitors took the lead for the first time.
Their lead was extended 10 minutes later, as wing Vinaya Habosi broke off from the base of a ruck, and ran 40 metres unopposed to bag Fiji's second. Muntz converted the effort, and was on hand minutes later slotting a penalty for a 8-20 score line.
England got back into the Test thanks to a neat chip-and-chase that was collected by replacement Smith, who dived over the line. Ford's extras made it a five point game.
Muntz kicked his thirteenth point as the hour mark passed, but England battled their way back through a Marchant try in the corner. Ford nailed the kick out wide to make it 22-23, but replacement Simione Kuruvolia scampered over with eight minutes to go, re-establishing a two score lead and confirming a famous win.
Teams
England
15. Freddie Steward, 14. Max Malins, 13. Ollie Lawrence, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 11. Jonny May, 10. George Ford, 9. Alex Mitchell, 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Theo Dan, 3. Dan Cole, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Ollie Chessum, 6. Courtney Lawes (C), 7. Jack Willis, 8. Ben Earl
Replacements
16. Jack Walker, 17. Joe Marler, 18. Will Stuart, 19. David Ribbans, 20, Lewis Ludlam, 21. Danny Care, 22. Marcus Smith, 23. Joe Marchant
Fiji
15. Ilaisa Droasese, 14. Selestino Ravutaumada, 13. Waisea Nayacalevu, 12. Semi Radradra, 11. Vinaya Habosi, 10. Caleb Muntz, 9. Frank Lomani 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Sam Matavesi 3. Luka Tagi, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 6. Albert Tuisue, 7. Lekima Tagitagivalu, 8. Viliame Mata
Replacements
16. Zuriel Togiatama, 17. Jone Koroiduadua, 18. Samu Tawake, 19. Temo Mayanavanua, 20. Vilive Miramira, 21. Simione Kuruvolia, 22. Teti Tela, 23. Kalaveti Ravouvou
Summer Series Results
England 22-30 Fiji
