England’s rugby team demonstrated the power of depth and quality on the bench as they overcame a resilient Fiji side 38-18 at Allianz Stadium. The match highlighted the impact of replacements, with Henry Arundell making a stunning return to international rugby and Maro Itoje also contributing off the bench to secure England’s ninth consecutive win.

Bench Players Make the Difference

At the 54-minute mark, five England forwards—Jamie George, Fin Baxter, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Tom Curry, and Henry Pollock—entered the match, giving the team fresh energy as the score stood at 21-18. Head coach Steve Borthwick praised the contributions of his bench, emphasizing their importance in maintaining momentum and exploiting fatigued opponents.

“We have a number of players with pace on the edges and on the wing. It is exactly the tough decisions you want as a head coach,” Borthwick said.

Henry Arundell’s Spectacular Return

Replacement wing Henry Arundell, celebrating his 23rd birthday, made a remarkable impact on his first England appearance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Starting behind the halfway line, Arundell accelerated past two Fiji defenders, linking with Marcus Smith, and finished a scintillating try that drew gasps from the Twickenham crowd.

Arundell’s try illustrated the X-factor and star quality present on England’s bench, reinforcing the competitiveness and depth of Borthwick’s squad.

Other Notable Contributions

Captain Maro Itoje also scored after entering the match, while veteran Jamie George added another try, demonstrating the experience and composure of England’s replacements. Last week against Australia, 20-year-old Tom Pollock also showcased his talent with a memorable one-handed try, confirming the bench’s consistent impact in Test matches.

“It is about understanding the fitness of the players for going 80 minutes and the impact of the bench. That alongside composure and resilience are important components,” Borthwick added.

Fly-Half Battle and Tactical Adjustments

Fin Smith returned to fly-half, with Marcus Smith at full-back, as England experimented with squad rotations ahead of a crucial Test against New Zealand. Fin Smith controlled the game well, managing pressure moments and demonstrating leadership, while Marcus Smith’s tactical kicking, including a well-timed grubber behind Fiji’s defensive line, helped create Arundell’s try.

“We’ve come under a bit of criticism in tight games… but the composure and clarity in the huddle, led by Fin, has been invaluable,” said George.

England’s Winning Streak and Lessons Learned

England’s 38-18 victory extends their consecutive wins to nine, the longest since their 18-game streak from 2015 to 2017, which included a Grand Slam. The team’s resilience in close matches, depth of squad, and ability to capitalize on bench players have been key to this successful run.

Fiji, ranked ninth in the world, showed flashes of brilliance, scoring three tries and posing a significant threat for large portions of the match. A critical moment came when scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli lost control of the ball in the act of scoring, denying Fiji potential momentum in the final quarter.

“They are that good. If they continue their development, I would not be surprised if they challenge for the top four and Rugby World Cup semi-finals,” Borthwick said of Fiji.

Looking Ahead

England now prepare for a high-stakes clash against New Zealand next Saturday. With a bench brimming with talent and starters in strong form, Borthwick’s side will look to build on their momentum and continue their quest for World Cup success.