Fiji v England - Teams and Prediction

ROUND TWO PREVIEW: England coach Steve Borthwick understands why a five-match losing streak means his own position is being called into question, but insists his focus is only on Saturday’s match against Fiji.

Borthwick’s men started the inaugural Nations Championship with a decisive 21-45 loss away to world champions South Africa.

And while defeat by the Springboks was always a strong possibility, it followed a woeful Six Nations where England lost four of their five games.

As a result, a match against Fiji being played at the Liverpool home of Premier League football club Everton has become a must-win encounter for England ahead of an awkward clash away to Argentina on July 18.

Exeter centre Henry Slade, who impressed off the bench against South Africa after a fine domestic season with the Prem finalists has been recalled to the starting XV, with Tommy Freeman moving out to his more familiar wing role following an experiment in midfield.

The story continues below…

The only change in the pack is Guy Pepper’s inclusion at openside flanker, which sees him change places with the benched Tom Curry.

Borthwick, a much less confrontational character than Eddie Jones, his predecessor as England coach, has nevertheless seen significant members of his backroom staff leave, with former defence chief Felix Jones and lead analyst Joe Lewis now both with the Springboks.

There is a growing concern that Borthwick’s tenure as coach could mirror the end of his 57-cap England career when, not long after 20 Tests as skipper, he was dropped from the squad by then boss Martin Johnson in 2010.

‘Feel the hurt’

“I wanted to play for England and then, when you can no longer play for England, I wanted to coach England and help this England team,” said Borthwick after naming his side on Thursday.

“And by doing that – because nobody makes you do that – you accept the scrutiny, you accept the pressure, you accept the expectation because you want to try and achieve some great things.

“When this team doesn’t perform the way we want it to, we feel the hurt and pain that our supporters feel, and we feel it so much because we all care so much.”

The 46-year-old added: “All I focus on is this Saturday. That’s all I ever did as a player and that’s all I do as a coach.”

England won 38-18 when the teams last met, at Twickenham in November.

Fiji, however, beat England 30-22 in a World Cup warm-up match at Twickenham three years ago and ran them close at the event proper before losing in Marseille.

But the Pacific islanders are under pressure from Fiji Rugby Union chairman John Sanday following last week’s 24-39 loss to Wales in Cardiff.

Fiji are playing all three of their ‘home’ July fixtures in Britain for financial reasons, and Sanday said the team must deliver a “return on investment”.

“The players have been well looked after and paid well,” Sanday told the Fiji Sun.

“Where is the return on investment? This is the urgent question.

“I personally don’t accept sub-par performance.

“The return on investment on the Wales match was minus.”

Players to watch:

For Fiji: There’s a big change at flyhalf with Caleb Muntz being entrusted with playmaking duties. It all depends on his pack up front – if he doesn’t get quality ball then it will be a long afternoon for his team. The Fijians will also need their star fullback Salesi Rayasi to be more involved in play. Every bit of attacking ball they get, they will need to utilise it efficiently and he is one of those players who can turn a game on its head. In the pack, Levani Botia can be a bulldozer with the ball and his dynamism on attack could lead to an offloading frenzy in open play.

For England: There will be a lot of interesting observers when it comes to South African midfield bruiser Benhard Janse van Rensburg. He could make his England debut if he comes off the bench and it could be the start of a new era for England’s midfield play if he stamps his authority. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso disappeared for large periods of the game against South Africa, and he needs more ball and space to work with. In the pack, George Martin was a colossus in all areas against the Boks, and his physicality will be key in the tight exchanges.

Prediction

Rugby365: England by 20 points.

Teams:

Fiji: 15 Salesi Rayasi, 14 Vuate Karawalevu, 13 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Levani Botia, 7 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 6 Peceli Yato, 5 Isoa Nasilasila, 4 Tevita Ratuva, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Eroni Mawi.
Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Livai Natave, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Elia Canakaivata, 21 Pita-Gus Sowakula, 22 Frank Lomani, 23 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.

England: 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Guy Pepper, 6 Ollie Chessum, 5 George Martin, 4 Alex Coles, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie George (captain), 1 Ellis Genge.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 18 George Kloska, 19 Tom Curry, 20 Henry Pollock, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 23 Noah Caluori.

Date: Saturday, July 11
Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool
Kick-off: 14.10 (13.10 GMT; 01.10 FJT Sunday, July 12)
Expected weather: It will be very warm with a high of 31°C.
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Eoghan Cross (Ireland), Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)

AFP & @rugby365com