England v Fiji - teams and prediction
PREVIEW: The woes of the England rugby team since they started their preparations for the World Cup could not have been scripted any worse.
It really is a terrible time to be an England supporter as nothing seems to be going right for new coach Steve Borthwick.
Now there is the very real threat of Fiji causing further embarrassment this weekend.
The Red Rose have never lost to the Pacific Islanders, but everything is almost set up for the hosts to succumb to the Flying Fijians.
Letβs just unpack the past week of the inner turmoil happening inside the England camp.
There were the two suspensions to captain Owen Farrell and first choice number eight Billy Vunipola, while Anthony Watson was ruled out of the World Cup on Thursday.
The Farrell saga alone lasted over a week and caused significant disruption to their preparations, so all is not well within the English set-up.
Furthermore their results and performances have simply been unacceptable since the last World Cup and many probably think it canβt get any worse.
Is an upset incoming? A developing Fiji side is coming to town and it very much could.
Looking at the Red Roseβs three warm-up games so far, they have only managed to score two tries.
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ADVERTISEMENTβ England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) August 24, 2023
But Borthwick is not concerned, saying his players will convert their chances against Fiji.
“Fiji have proven themselves to be a strong opposition and we look forward to what we expect to be an exciting and challenging game.
“Rest assured that we will be looking to convert the opportunities we have recently been creating into points on the scoreboard.
“As this is our last Test before heading to France, I want to thank our fans for all the support you continue to give us, and it means a lot to us that you will be behind us all the way on our World Cup journey.”
Fiji, ahead of facing Wales and Australia in their World Cup pool, were beaten in France last weekend after defeating Tonga, Samoa and Japan in their warm-ups.
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β Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugby) August 21, 2023
Their coach Simon Raiwalui made the surprise call to leave out Racing 92 flyhalf Ben Volavola from their World Cup squad. Northampton duo Sam Matavesi and Temo Mayanavanua are among their Premiership representatives.
Fiji will pair captain Waisea Nayacalevu and highly-rated centre Semi Radradra for the first time.
Nayacalevu comes into the side, and takes over the captaincy from Radradra, in one of seven changes from the side that lost 34-17 to World Cup hosts France last week.
Raiwalui is expecting a huge onslaught from England.
“Itβs another big physical battle and I think they will try and use their pack to the limit. We have been working on ours and I think they will be very tactical with their kicking,” Raiwalui said.
“It is going to be a different challenge this weekend.”
“We have been rotating players and testing combinations so this is the right time to test these two experienced players this weekend,” Raiwalui added.
“They are leaders in the team and also role models to our players and Iβm confident that they will form the best combination on the day.”
Players to watch:
For England: The selection of Alex Mitchell at scrumhalf is an indication that the Red Roses will at least try to move the ball quicker. All eyes will be on Ben Earl who is stepping into the huge boots of Vunipola at eight and is probably the most natural replacement. He is a different type of player but his skill set is more suited to the position than Tom Curry or Jack Willis.
For Fiji: Fijiβs runners will try to punch holes in the hostsβ rearguard. They would have watched Ireland do it last week, who did it with ease. The scrums, spearheaded by Eroni Mawi, need to fire. Another good performance is expected of locks Te Ahiwaru Cirikidveta and Isoa Nasilasila while Sam Matavesi is a reliable thrower,
Head to Head:
Prediction:
@Rugby365: England by nine points
Teams:
England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Max Malins, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Jack Willis, 6 Courtney Lawes (Captain), 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Theo Dan, 1 Ellis Genge.
Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 David Ribbans, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Danny Care, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Joe Marchant.
Fiji: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Selesitino Ravutaumada, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 12 Semi Radradra, 11 Vinaya Habosi, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 6 Albert Tuisue, 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidveta, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Sam Matavesi, 1 Eroni Mawi
Replacements: 16 Zuriel Togiatama, 17 Jone Koroiduadua, 18 Samu Tawake, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Vilive Miramira, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Teti Tela, 23 Kalaveti Ravouvou
Date: Saturday, August 26
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick-off: 15.15 (14.15 GMT; 02.15 Sunday, August 27 Fiji Time)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Pierre Brousset (France) & Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
* Additional reporting by AFP
