Under-pressure England have provided a swift answer to their critics -- for a week at least -- as they smothered a hugely disappointing Fiji by a record 73-8 in their Nations Championship rugby clash in Liverpool.
Relevant questions about England's line-up, tactics and attitude after the hammering from world champions South Africa in Johannesburg last weekend were pacified somewhat by coming home on Saturday and posting an equally unsurprising 11-try win against outclassed Fiji at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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Fiji struggled for possession and could not handle England's scrum, maul and defence. Under pressure, Fiji conceded 12 penalties — nine by halftime — and a red card to scrumhalf Simione Kuruvoli for lashing out with his boot into the stomach of Ellis Genge.
That meant Fiji played the entire second half down a man and England could play wider and be ruthless. Up 35-3 at halftime, England added six more tries, including a hat-trick for replacement flanker Henry Pollock. Fin Smith converted nine.
England tallied a record score against Fiji and their biggest win since beating Chile 71-0 in Lille at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
"What really pleased me was the defensive performance," England coach Steve Borthwick said.
"We played a Fiji team that is so dangerous with ball in hand. To restrict them right to the end was an impressive defensive performance. To be alive for each and every minute was pleasing."
A more thorough vetting of England's latest changes, including Henry Slade recalled to outside centre, should come from Argentina next weekend in Santiago del Estero.
After a poor show against the Springboks, England were under pressure to avoid a sixth-straight Test defeat for the first time in 20 years, but Fij were never in it.
Any tension in the sun-soaked crowd of 50,000 at Hill Dickinson Stadium evaporated quickly after Fiji gifted Marcus Smith the opening try when Salesi Rayasi casually let the ball bounce off the right corner flag, followed by England captain Jamie George scoring from a lineout drive before the first water break.
While Fiji flanker Levani Botia was in the sin-bin, England jumped from 14-3 to 35-3 with tries by Guy Pepper, Benhard Janse van Rensburg with his first touch on debut, and Seb Atkinson.
CaluoriEngland's Noah Caluori flies over for a try in Liverpool. (AP PHOTO)
Fiji deserved a first try right on halftime to Kalaveti Ravouvou after 11 phases but it was chalked off after Kuruvoli was caught kicking Genge on the floor.
Surprisingly, Fiji scored the first try of the second half to captain Tevita Ikanivere but didn't go near the England tryline again.
Without any jeopardy, England debuted South Africa-born centre Janse van Rensburg, 19-year-old wing Noah Caluori and prop George Kloska. Both backs scored, with Janse van Rensburg even setting up Caluori for his swan dive.
