England showcased a new brand of adventurous rugby as they stormed past Fiji in an exhilarating Test match at Twickenham. The victory extended England’s unbeaten home record for the year and marked their ninth straight win, but the performance itself was even more impressive than the numbers suggest.
After a sluggish first half where Fiji’s creativity and flair seemed to leave England searching for answers, the hosts responded with a thrilling 40-minute display that blended precision, pace, and flair — traits traditionally associated with their Pacific opponents rather than the men in white.
Fiji’s early dominance was highlighted by a breathtaking try from Caleb Muntz, a move that encapsulated the islanders’ attacking brilliance. The ball zipped across the field in a sequence of quick offloads before Muntz dived over the line despite the efforts of Ben Earl to haul him back. It was a moment that silenced the Twickenham crowd and left England staring at a six-point deficit.
But this England side, under attack coach Lee Blackett, refused to retreat into old habits. Instead of resorting to conservative tactics, they met flair with flair. The turning point came early in the second half when Tommy Freeman’s clever running set up Ollie Lawrence for a powerful finish after a fluid passage of play involving Fin Smith’s sidesteps and Earl’s deft inside pass.
From there, England took control. Marcus Smith orchestrated the backline with authority, his clever grubber kicks keeping Fiji guessing. Henry Arundell added to the spectacle with a lightning-fast try that sealed the outcome, reaffirming England’s growing confidence in attack. Fiji, to their credit, never stopped challenging, with Simione Kuruvoli narrowly missing out on another sensational score after a knock-on was spotted by the referee.
By the final whistle, England had done more than win — they had rediscovered joy in their rugby. This performance suggested a team no longer bound by caution but inspired by creativity and collective freedom. With their evolving attacking style and renewed belief, England look ready to dance with the very best once again.
