England had to dig deep to avoid a shock defeat at Twickenham, overcoming a spirited Fiji side 38–18 to claim their second successive win in the Autumn Nations Series.

Trailing 18–17 early in the second half, Steve Borthwick’s men produced a composed final 25 minutes — led by captain Owen Farrell and the returning Freddie Steward — to outmuscle the visitors and seal a scoreline that looked far more comfortable than the contest ever felt.

“Fiji are one of the toughest sides we’ve faced this year,” said Farrell after the match. “They challenged us physically and mentally. We had to respond with patience, not panic.”

A Nervy Start for England

England began brightly, with George Furbank crossing in the eighth minute after crisp passing from Farrell and Henry Slade, but the early momentum soon stalled.

Fiji’s trademark offload game, spearheaded by Josua Tuisova and Waisea Nayacalevu, began to stretch England’s defensive shape. A quick double from Vinaya Habosi and Frank Lomani — including a slick chip-and-chase finish — saw Fiji surge ahead 15–10 by the 25-minute mark.

England’s breakdown discipline faltered, conceding six penalties before halftime. Only a Farrell penalty and a late try from Ben Earl, following relentless forward pressure, restored a slender 17–15 halftime lead.

“Fiji were fearless in contact and turnover situations,” said Sky Sports analyst Will Greenwood. “England had to survive on composure alone in that first half.”

Second-Half Response

When Fiji retook the lead through another Caleb Muntz penalty, England’s composure was tested again. But the introduction of Ellis Genge and Danny Care from the bench shifted momentum decisively.

A well-worked lineout maul in the 55th minute ended with Jamie George powering over to restore England’s lead at 24–18. From there, the hosts tightened their grip.

Steward added a crucial try on 67 minutes after a looping pass from Marcus Smith, before Tom Curry sealed the win with a driving score from close range. Farrell’s accurate kicking — six from six on the night — added polish to an otherwise tense performance.

England’s Standouts

• Owen Farrell: Controlled tempo with precision, kicking 13 points and managing field position expertly.

• Freddie Steward: Aerial dominance and game-clinching try capped a strong return to form.

• Ben Earl: Relentless in carries and turnovers, providing the physical spark England needed when under pressure.

Fiji, though defeated, impressed with their athleticism and tactical awareness — signs of real progress under head coach Simon Raiwalui.

“We were brave and creative,” Raiwalui said post-match. “But at this level, small lapses cost big.”

The Bigger Picture

The result keeps England unbeaten in the Autumn Series following their win over Japan last week. With tougher fixtures against New Zealand and South Africa looming, Borthwick’s side will need sharper execution but can take confidence from their resilience under pressure.

“We found solutions tonight,” Borthwick said. “That’s the difference between a side learning and one believing.”

The Takeaway

England’s 38–18 victory was a story of recovery rather than dominance — a performance that balanced early vulnerability with late authority. For Fiji, it was another reminder that they are no longer outsiders, but genuine contenders capable of rattling Tier 1 nations.

“We were tested, and that’s what we wanted,” Farrell said. “Winning ugly still means winning.”