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 8-3 Fiji, 29 minutes
Dan Cole has a bit of blood on his face, which will require attention before the tighthead is permitted to take his place in the front row of an England defensive scrum. A lovely attacking position for Fiji, this, virtually centrefield and just inside England’s half.
England 8-3 Fiji, 27 minutes
England just can’t hang on to the ball! Matavesi overthrows but Theo Dan spills at the tail, before Courtney Lawes follows an outstanding defensive intervention - blocking an offload with Selestino Ravutaumada looking to canter on to it - with a fumble of his own.
Semi Radradra’s handling is also not quite there - it’s a bit of a messy affair, all told, with the pitch having taken on so much moisture in that almighty downpour.
England 8-3 Fiji, 25 minutes
The two sides trade errors in possession, with Maro Itoje sharp to snare a loose ball as it spills from a Fiji ruck but Ollie Lawrence’s decision to kick foolish on the right, Lawrence’s stab hitting Fijian shins and then scooped up by the touchline.
England are offside. Caleb Muntz prods up the right and Sam Matavesi will throw 25 metres out,
England 8-3 Fiji, 24 minutes
Yowzer! Semi Radradra locks on to his target and missiles in to George Ford, sending the England fly half sprawling back towards his own tryline.
Ford’s mates help him out, and strip Radradara of the ball to prevent the centre threatening further. Alex Mitchell hooks a clearance up to halfway.
England 8-3 Fiji, 23 minutes
Revenge for Luke Tagi, putting the hurt on Ellis Genge who is pinged for hinging. The England looshead prop shrugs as he retreats - I’m not sure he agreed.
Fiji down into England’s 22.
England 8-3 Fiji, 21 minutes
Fiji are starting to settle in, their array of ball carriers laying a platform and allowing Frank Lomani to go to the air, with Selestino Ravutaumada’s right hand piercing Freddie Steward’s grip and forcing a fumble.
Frank Lomani cops a sore one, and Fiji cry foul, but Jaco Peyper believes the scrum half slipped into the tackle and thus there’s nothing illicit from the English tackler.
The rain, mercifully, appears to be relenting - this is how Jonny May got his unexpected international comeback off to a perfect start.
England 8-3 Fiji, 19 minutes
This rain will probably prevent much of extravagance from England, with all of their possession post-restart kicked. Another nicely flighted box kick from Alex Mitchell ends up in Theo Dan’s hands, but the hooker is squeezed in a vice by two Fijian forwards and the ball pops out of his grasp.
PENALTY! England 8-3 FIJI (Caleb Muntz penalty, 18 minutes)
A lovely strike from Caleb Muntz, whose kick from 45 metres out bisects the uprights with plenty of carry still to spare. Fiji are on the board.
England 8-0 Fiji, 16 minutes
England’s backs are offside as Fiji play away from the scrum. Caleb Muntz wipes water from his eyes as the tee is called on.
England 8-0 Fiji, 15 minutes
The rain would now best be described as biblical, ponchos hurriedly pulled on by those not protected by Twickenham’s roof. You can forgive, then, Freddie Steward not quite grasping a kick sent up into the clouds - Fiji’s scrum on halfway.
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