England Run Riot as Fiji Unravel in Liverpool Heat

Last updated: 11 July 2026, 76th minute

England turned a sweltering afternoon in Liverpool into a relentless scoring exhibition, repeatedly breaking through a Fiji side reduced to 14 players. Steve Borthwick's team led 66-8 after 76 minutes, with Henry Pollock scoring twice and debutant Noah Caluori crossing in the corner. Fiji scrum-half Simione Kuruvoli was sent off just before half-time after kicking Ellis Genge, accelerating a contest England were already controlling.

How Events Unfolded

Marcus Smith opened the scoring after six minutes in unusual fashion. Fin Smith's cross-kick bounced beyond Tommy Freeman, struck the corner flag and stayed in play, allowing Marcus Smith to pounce for the try. Caleb Muntz answered with a Fiji penalty, but England quickly resumed control through captain Jamie George's close-range score.

Guy Pepper added England's third try before Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Seb Atkinson pushed the lead to 35-3. Fiji's scrum struggled under sustained pressure, while Levani Botia received a yellow card for interfering at a ruck near his own line.

The most damaging moment arrived before half-time. Kalaveti Ravouvou appeared to have scored for Fiji, but the move was reviewed after Kuruvoli kicked Genge while the England prop was on the ground. Referee Hollie Davidson issued a permanent red card and the try was disallowed, leaving Fiji a player short for the second half.

Tevita Ikanivere scored Fiji's first try shortly after the restart, but England responded immediately. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso produced a one-handed finish, Pollock won a race to Ben Earl's kick, and Henry Slade powered over after England's defensive pressure forced another poor clearance. Caluori then scored on debut before Pollock's second try extended the margin to 66-8. The latest action was documented in the BBC live match report.

Critical Details

This was nominally a Fiji home fixture, although the match was staged at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium. Fiji are playing their Nations Championship home matches in the UK for financial and logistical reasons, creating an unusual setting in which England were officially the visitors but enjoyed substantial local support.

Conditions also shaped the match. Organisers approved a 20-minute half-time interval and additional three-minute water breaks because of the Liverpool heat. England handled those interruptions better, maintaining their kicking pressure, line speed and tempo whenever play resumed.

Both teams entered the contest after opening-round defeats. England had lost five consecutive matches and were beaten by South Africa in their Nations Championship opener. Fiji arrived after a 39-24 loss to Wales, with captain Ikanivere saying his squad had studied where Wales had been allowed to capitalise.

The red card widened an existing imbalance rather than creating it. England were already 35-3 ahead, had forced repeated scrum penalties and had scored through five different players. With Fiji down to 14, England found more space around tired defenders and converted turnovers into rapid attacks.

Reactions & Responses

Before the match, Fiji were also dealing with public criticism from Fiji Rugby Union chairman John Sanday, who questioned the team's return after the Wales defeat.

The players have been well-looked after and paid well, where is the return on investment? This is the urgent question. I personally don't accept sub-par performance.

Ikanivere rejected the suggestion that the criticism would distract the squad, describing the chairman's responsibilities and the players' work as separate roles.

We just want to do our best. That's all we can do and that's all we're going to give. Wales outplayed us last week and that's all the motivation we need.

On the field, Fin Smith was named player of the match before the contest had finished. His distribution and kicking repeatedly shifted Fiji's defence, while his wide conversion after Slade's try added to an assured performance.

Putting It in Perspective

England's performance offered a forceful response to the pressure surrounding Borthwick and the team's five-match losing streak. The number of scorers mattered as much as the margin: Marcus Smith, George, Pepper, Janse van Rensburg, Atkinson, Feyi-Waboso, Pollock, Slade and Caluori had all crossed by the 65th minute.

For Fiji, the defeat exposed discipline and set-piece problems that had already been identified after the Wales match. Kuruvoli's dismissal removed any realistic path back into the game, while England's speed at the breakdown and aggressive kick chase kept Fiji trapped inside their own half for long periods.

Australian viewers could watch the match through Stan Sport, with the fixture kicking off at 11.10pm AEST. The result also carries wider interest for Wallabies supporters following the new 12-team Nations Championship, where early points and scoring margins can quickly shape each side's position.

Looking Ahead

The supplied live reports had not confirmed the final score, with England leading 66-8 after 76 minutes. England were still searching for further points, while Fiji were attempting to finish with 14 players and limit the damage.

England's next task will be to show that this attacking display can be repeated against stronger resistance. Fiji must address Kuruvoli's red card, their scrum difficulties and the defensive breakdowns that allowed England to produce nine different try scorers before full-time.