Quarter-Final Preview: England v Fiji
Everything you need to know ahead of England Men's quarter-final clash with Fiji in Marseille
Steve Borthwick's men return to Marseille from Lille following their 18-17 victory over Samoa, which saw them retain their unbeaten run at Rugby World Cup 2023.
The close contest saw Owen Farrell overtake Jonny Wilkinson as England all-time top points scorer as he kicked eight points to bring his tally to 1,186.
When? | Sunday 15 October |
Where? | Stade de Marseille |
Kick off | 16:00 BST |
Where can I watch? | ITV |
Farrell will captain a starting XV with two changes to the side that defeated Samoa. In the front row, Ellis Genge – who is named as one of three vice-captains – starts at loosehead prop alongside Jamie George at hooker and Dan Cole at tighthead. Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum continue at lock with vice-captain Courtney Lawes on the blindside flank, Tom Curry on the openside and Ben Earl at No.8 to round off an unchanged pack.
In the halfback berths, Alex Mitchell partners Farrell as Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant combine in the centres. In the back three, Elliot Daly returns to the starting XV on the left wing, Jonny May moves to the right and Marcus Smith is set to wear the 15 shirt.
Theo Dan, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, George Martin, Billy Vunipola, Danny Care, George Ford (vice-captain), and Ollie Lawrence are named as replacements.
TEAMS
England
15. Marcus Smith, 14. Jonny May, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Manu Tuilagi (C), 11. Elliot Daly, 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Alex Mitchell, 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Jamie George, 3. Dan Cole, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Ollie Chessum, 6. Courtney Lawes, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Ben Earl
Replacements
16. Theo Dan, 17. Joe Marler, 18. Kyle Sinckler, 19. George Martin, 20. Billy Vunipola, 21. Danny Care, 22. George Ford, 23. Ollie Lawrence
Fiji
15. Ilaisa Droasese, 14. Vinaya Habosi, 13. Waisea Nayacalevu, 12. Josua Tuisova, 11. Semi Radradra, 10. Vilimoni Botitu, 9. Frank Lomani, 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Tevita Ikanivere, 3. Tuke Tagi, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Albert Tuisue, 6. Lekima Tagitagivalu, 7. Levani Botia, 8. Viliame Mata
Replacements: 16. Samuel Matavesi, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Mesake Doge, 19. Meli Derenalagi, 20. Vilive Miramira, 21. Simione Kuruvoli, 22. Iosefo Masi, 23. Sireli Maqala
VIEWS FROM CAMP
Steve Borthwick: “The knockout stages of any Rugby World Cup are always full of excitement and keen anticipation for our supporters both at home and here in France. This will be no different. The players cannot wait for this Sunday’s quarter-final against Fiji. Everyone knows just what an unpredictably dangerous opposition Fiji can be. However, we have shown in the group stages how we can win games, and we will be calling on that experience and determination to ensure we carry on our journey.
“We are very much looking forward to returning to the special atmosphere of the Stade de Marseille, where we started our campaign back in September with a win against Argentina. I have said it before, but it is right that I say it again, our supporters contributed to a very special night on that occasion, and I have no doubt it will be another memorable evening this Sunday.”
Billy Vunipola: "It’s plain and simple for us: If you don’t win this weekend, you go home. There’s massive emphasis on the importance of this weekend and there’s definitely an edge to training and in the way boys are carrying themselves. It’s not just this week though. The challenge is to do it not just this week, but every week.
"We pride ourselves on our set piece work and we have targets in our own sections in terms of our forwards, whether that’s scrums or mauls and targets we want to hit. It’s no different from any other week but there’s just that added pressure that if we don’t nail it, we’ll be going home."
![AIX-EN-PROVENCE, FRANCE - OCTOBER 10: Billy Vunipola of England poses for a portrait following a press conference at Conservatoire Darius Milhaud on October 10, 2023 in Aix-en-Provence, France. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)](https://rfu.widen.net/content/0f326c7e-2ad2-4780-a877-05bfdd5c1ff7/web/rugby_player_official_polo.jpg)
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS
2023 - England 22-30 Fiji
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 AND RESULTS
Summer Series
Rugby World Cup 2023 - Group Stages
Quarter Final
England v Fiji - Stade de Marseille - Sunday 15 October 16:00
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
England beat Fiji to make World Cup semi-final
England beat Fiji 30-24 at Stade de Marseille to book their spot in a Rugby World Cup semi-final, where they will play the winner of France v South Africa.
Tries from Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant as well as 20 points from the boot of Owen Farrell secured the victory, as England held off a ferocious Fijian side whose points came via Viliame Mata, Peni Ravai and Vilimoni Botitu tries, and nine points from the tee.
England were first to get on the scoreboard as referee Mathieu Raynal penalised Josua Tuisova for not rolling away on the 10-minute mark, enabling Farrell to pop over a simple penalty in front of the posts for a 3-0 lead.
Moments later Tuilagi extended that with his first England try in two years - the centre swept to the blindside of a five metre ruck, taking the ball from Farrell, and powering past the tackles of Lomani and Vinaya Habosi to dot down in the corner. The conversion was missed.
![MARSEILLE, FRANCE - OCTOBER 15: Joe Marchant of England scores his team's second try during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 Quarter Final match between England and Fiji at Stade Velodrome on October 15, 2023 in Marseille, France. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)](https://rfu.widen.net/content/bed2eb36-ef9b-45bc-a95f-a9fa7edf4120/web/GettyImages-1737269622.jpg)
Lomani got the Fijians off the mark with a penalty, but Marchant answered with England's second try just three minutes later, and Farrell's extras made it 15-3. In the build up to the score, a TMO review noticed Habosi made a high tackle on Marcus Smith, which received a yellow card.
Viliame Mata found Fiji's first try as half hour approached, a neat dummy pass opened a gap for the number eight to stroll through unopposed, and Lomani's conversion cut the deficit to five points.
But Farrell bagged two further penalties as Steve Borthwick's men took an 11-point lead into the break, and the half-time stats showed a competitive Test: England making 220 metres - 89 more than their opponents - with Fiji making more clean breaks and beating more defenders.
It took until the 53rd minute for the first points of the second half to be scored, and came courtesy of a fourth Farrell penalty.
Simon Raiwalui's side wrestled their way back into the match with two quick fire tries. First, substitute Ravai barrelled over from close range before fly-half Botitu claimed the Fijian's third. Simione Kuruvoli converted both to level the game.
But Farrell landed a drop goal with nine minutes left in the Test to edge England ahead, and confirmed the win with a 77th minute penalty - his 20th point of the match.
Teams
England
15. Marcus Smith, 14. Jonny May, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Manu Tuilagi (C), 11. Elliot Daly, 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Alex Mitchell, 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Jamie George, 3. Dan Cole, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Ollie Chessum, 6. Courtney Lawes, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Ben Earl.
Replacements
16. Theo Dan, 17. Joe Marler, 18. Kyle Sinckler, 19. George Martin, 20. Billy Vunipola, 21. Danny Care, 22. George Ford, 23. Ollie Lawrence.
Fiji
15. Ilaisa Droasese, 14. Vinaya Habosi, 13. Waisea Nayacalevu, 12. Josua Tuisova, 11. Semi Radradra, 10. Vilimoni Botitu, 9. Frank Lomani, 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Tevita Ikanivere, 3. Tuke Tagi, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Albert Tuisue, 6. Lekima Tagitagivalu, 7. Levani Botia, 8. Viliame Mata.
Replacements
16. Samuel Matavesi, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Mesake Doge, 19. Meli Derenalagi, 20. Vilive Miramira, 21. Simione Kuruvoli, 22. Iosefo Masi, 23. Sireli Maqala.
Fixtures & Results
QF: England 30-24 Fiji