Henry Arundell produced a stunning finish to propel England to a 38-18 victory over Fiji at Allianz Stadium that keeps alive their pursuit of an unbeaten autumn. The Islanders are the lowest-ranked opposition to visit Twickenham this month but they presented a far greater threat than Australia seven days earlier as they chased a repeat of their seismic 2023 upset at the same venue.

Their ability to strike from anywhere on the field meant England could not breathe easy until the 69th minute when Arundell showed his searing pace after being presented with a half-chance by Marcus Smith’s grubber. Steve Borthwick introduced his ‘bomb squad’ of five replacement forwards in the 54th minute and while they made a difference, it was the athleticism of Arundell that sealed Fiji’s fate.

The Bath wing was making his first appearance since the 2023 World Cup, his time at French club Racing 92 having made him unavailable for selection, and his brief cameo against Fiji underlined his star quality. England lost their way at times yet were able to close out a ninth successive victory, their best run since the early days of the Eddie Jones era when they amassed a world record-equalling 18 successive wins.

Express Sport rates and slates the England players…

England player ratings vs Fiji

MARCUS SMITH – Burst into life when the Fijians were tiring and  brilliant kick for Arundell score 7

TOMMY FREEMAN – Still looks a better wing than centre and a lively threat on front foot 6

OLLIE LAWRENCE – Brilliant break set up Genge score and has settled 13 debate for next week 7

FRASER DINGWALL – Under rated ball skills and a proper leader in the backs, tidy display again 6

IMMANUEL FEYI-WABOSO – Much more involved than last week, scored but took some big hits 7

FIN SMITH – Not scared of big Fijians running down his channel and lovely touches with ball 7

ALEX MITCHELL – Ball of energy at base of scrum and neat link with Fin Smith but wasted one score 6

ELLIS GENGE (CO-CAPT) – Had a good scrap with Fijian front row with honours even and scored 6

LUKE COWAN-DICKIE – Good power for try but outshone in loose by opposite number Ikanivere 6

JOE HEYES – Caught napping for Fiji’s third score at line out and held in scrum 5

ALEX COLES – Hard graft made a score for Jamie George and could become a fixture 7

OLLIE CHESSUM – 30^th cap for the Leicester man and good at line out and restarts 7

GUY PEPPER – Couple of huge hits from the Bath man before being replaced on 52 minutes 6

BEN EARL – Turbo-charged from the flank after playing 8 last week and England’s best carrier 8

CHANDLER CUNNINGHAM-SOUTH – First Test start at No.8 and looks viable option there after powerful display 7

Replacements

Jamie George – 7 (for Cowan-Dickie 52)

Fin Baxter – 6 (for Genge 52)

Asher Opoku-Fordjour – 6 (for Heyes 52)

Maro Itoje – 7 (co-capt, for Chessum 70)

Tom Curry – 7 (for Pepper 52)

Henry Pollock – 6 (for Cunningham-South 52) 

Ben Spencer – 6 (for Mitchell 62)                                                                                                                                       

Henry Arundell – 7 (for Freeman 66)

Fiji: Rayasi 5; Ravutaumada 4, Ravouvou 6, Tuisova 6, Wainiqolo 6; Muntz 6, Kuruvoli 8; Mawi 6, Ikanivere 8 (capt), Doge 5, Nasilasila 5, Mayanavanua 5, Salawa 6, Canakaivata 5, Mata 7

Replacements: Togiatama 4 (for Mawi 56), Hetet 5 (for Ikanivere 56), Tawake 5 (for Doge 56), Vocevoce 4 (for Nasilasila 66), Murray 6 (for Canakaivata 62), Wye 5 (for Kuruvoli 67), Armstrong-Ravula 6 (for Muntz 60), Maqala 5 (for Wainiqolo 56)

MAN OF THE MATCH: BEN EARL (ENGLAND)

Referee: Paul Williams (NZ)