.png)
5 hours ago
4
Key events
Pre match reading
Why send me a missive as we spend our time together? You can do this by emailing me here.
Teams
Fiji make a handful of changes to the backline that faced Wales in Cardiff, with Selestino Ravutaumada, Semi Radradra, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula and Frank Lomani making way for Vuate Karawalevu, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Caleb Muntz and Simione Kuruvoli
Borthwick has tunred to the experience of Henry Slade and the dynamism of Guy Pepper centre and openside, with Tommy Freeman shifting out to the wing to accommodate Slade. Uncapped trio George Kloska, Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Noah Caluori are on the bench.
Fiji: Salesi Rayasi; Vuate Karawalevu, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Josua Tuisova, Jiuta Wainiqolo; Caleb Muntz, Simione Kuruvoli; Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge; Tevita Ratuva, Isoa Nasilasila; Peceli Yato, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Levani Botia.
Replacements: Sam Matavesi, Livai Natave, Peni Ravai, Temo Mayanavanua, Elia Canakaivata, Pita-Gus Sowakula, Frank Lomani, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.
England: Marcus Smith; Tommy Freeman, Henry Slade, Seb Atkinson, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; Fin Smith, Jack van Poortvliet; Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes; Alex Coles, George Martin; Ollie Chessum, Guy Pepper, Ben Earl.
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, George Kloska, Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Noah Caluori.
Preamble
Fiji and England arrive today at the (sort of) newly minted Hill Dickinson Stadium for this, the notional home fixture fir the pacific islanders vs the team actually at home. Welcome to round two of the Nations Championship.
A tale of two losses accompanies the teams’ journey to thus fixture under the blazing heat, with each seeking to set right some version of embarrassment following respective heavy defeats to Wales and South Africa.
Steve Borthwick will be the more troubled of the two coaches such was the extent of the stomping they received from the Springboks, and nothing less than a convincing stomping of their own will do today. Fiji will point to their team being something of a hotchpotch selection in Cardiff last week as the reason they were not at the their best. There are no such excuses today with more of the usual primary selections in the line-up, particularly at half-backs, plus lingering memories of the close contest in the QF of the last World Cup where they proved they are the equal of England.
England must win this one, stay with us to find out if they do.
