Advertisement
England will aim to make it nine consecutive test wins when they take on Fiji at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
They started the Quilter Autumn Nations Series by scoring four tries in a 25-7 win over Australia last Saturday to add to victories over France, Scotland and Italy at Twickenham this year.
For Fiji, it is their first international since mid-September when they beat Japan 33-27 to claim the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC). They also face France and Spain this November.
With New Zealand up for England in week three, there is a chance that Steve Borthwick will mix his team to ensure everyone has had a chance before they face their highest ranked opponents of the autumn, and a side his team have yet to beat.
Twisting The Halves
Borthwick’s selection for the Wallabies was heavy on those who starred in the two test series victory over Argentina in the summer. This week, there is a good chance he will give those who missed out in week one a chance to start.
Chief among them is likely to be flyhalf Fin Smith, who started on the bench behind George Ford. Ford was key to England’s high kicking strategy, but with a drier day forecast, Smith’s passing range would suit conditions better.
It will be interesting to see if Alex Mitchell, who is England’s first choice scrumhalf continues, or whether Jack van Poortvliet starts. The Leicester Tigers man impressed in Argentina, though that would mean a new look partnership.
What then for Marcus Smith, the third flyhalf? Or does his opportunity come elsewhere?
Injury Opportunities
With fullback Freddie Steward and Tom Roebuck nursing injuries, whether it was intended or not, we are likely to see a changed back three for Fiji’s visit. Immanuel Fey-Waboso went well against Australia, albeit without adding to his try tally, and he will benefit if the high kicks die down a little this week.
It would be great to see Henry Arundell have a run out at fullback. The man offers serious gas, and while he has featured exclusively on the wing for Bath, we have seen the effect Ange Capuozzo and Cheslin Kobe can have when given a little more freedom to pick and chose when and where they run.
Which leaves Smith.M. You have to feel bad for him. Was it only a year ago that he was England’s player of the series after impressing in the 10 jersey? Since then, he has been shunted to fullback for both England, and the Lions. Still, his club form hasn’t hit the heights at flyhalf, so he may need to be patient for a little while longer yet.
Freeman On Familiar Turf
With Roebuck out the obvious thing to do is move Tommy Freeman back to his usual spot on the wing. While he didn’t really do anything wrong as outside centre, it is early days, and he still has plenty to learn. It also means that one of either Henry Slade, or Ollie Lawrence has a chance in their usual position of outside centre before the All Blacks roll into town.
Lawrence is the obvious choice. After all, at the end of the Six Nations he had made the position his own, he played there as Bath won a treble, and only injury stopped him either touring with the Lions or England.
Moreover, putting him in the centres, would give midfield more punch than Freeman or Fraser Dingwell can provide. Against the All Blacks, and Argentina a week later, there is the definite need to have someone in the backline that can power their way through, rather than beat opponents on the outside. Neither Freeman nor Slade provide the physicality that Lawrence provides, and lets be fair, it’s not like Fiji every shy away from contact.
Perk Up The Pack
England’s pack were quick to take control against Australia, though their scrums (80 percent efficiency) and lineouts (95 percent) didn’t compare to the Wallabies, who were 100 percent for both. That said, it was the England pack who scored off two lineout drives.
The flex that came on the 50th minute when the entire front row of Fin Baxter, Jamie George, and Joe Heyes were replaced by Bevan Rodd, Luke Cowan-Dickie, and Will Stuart would make sense to reverse.
Alex Coles has done enough to earn a start alongside Maro Itoje, while Tom Curry will be managed to ensure he is ready to go for New Zealand. It would also be a good idea to give Chandler Cunningham-South a go at number eight. We know what Ben Earl can do there, but in the post-Tom Willis era, it is time to see who else can make an impact at the back of the scrum.
Remember 2023
While all is coming up roses in the Twickenham garden, you don’t need to go back too far to recall Fiji’s first win in southwest London. It came before the 2023 World Cup when a fired up Fiji triumphed 30-22 over a lacklustre England.
Borthwick’s outfit were a shower, and while they ultimately triumphed in the World Cup quarterfinals, Fiji showed what was to come and Australia were the ones who missed out on the quarters.
Since then, Mick Byrne has given them consistency and they have fully established themselves on the world stage, with clubs around the world snapping their players up. Viliame Mata and Kalaveti Ravouvou have produced highlights galore with Bristol Bears, and with Caleb Munz varying play well from flyhalf, this match is likely to be as competitive as any of the others England face this autumn.
Fiji will seize on any hint of complacency, and it would be grossly unprofessional on England’s part, but wouldn’t it be great to view any great play as Fijian strength and development, rather than a traditional power having an off day.
