Rugby World Cup: Prince William says he won’t let Wales’ Dan Biggar retire
England face Fiji in the World Cup quarter-final in the first matchup between the two sides since Fiji’s historic win at Twickenham in August.
Steve Borthwick’s side qualified for the knockout stages after topping Pool D, with captain Owen Farrell backed by assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth to prove his worth, maintaining he is a “winner”.
The match sees the 2019 runners-up play in their ninth Rugby World Cup quarter-final. England have won five of the eight previous ones with their most recent – 40-16 vs Australia, 2019 – their largest knockout match win.
For Fiji, the match marks their third appearance in knockout stages with their previous two being in 1987 and 2007. This is only the third meeting between England and Fiji at a World Cup, and will be the first not held at Twickenham.
Follow all the action from Marseille and get all the latest Rugby World Cup odds and tips right here:
England vs Fiji
Show latest update
England 0-0 Fiji
2 mins: Plenty of ball in hand for England in these early stages, with Smith getting into a very attacking position from full-back.
Great work from Botia, though, in the breakdown to win a penalty for Fiji and a chance to clear.
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 16:04
KICK-OFF! England 0-0 Fiji
An impeccably observed silence is followed by two sets of emotional national anthems.
England get us under way now in this first half! What will the next 80 minutes have in store for us?
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 16:02
The players are out
England and Fiji emerge from the tunnel and the third World Cup quarter-final is just moments away.
A minute of silence to honour the victims of the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza and then it’s time for the anthems…
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 15:56
Ten minutes away
Not long to go now. A final dispatch from The Independent’s Harry Latham-Coyle before kick-off:
“Enormous boos for Owen Farrell as the England captain’s name is read out pre-match at the Stade Velodrome; huge cheers for Marcus Smith. It feels like a massive day for both men.”
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 15:51
What’s on the line
The winner of this match will play the winner of France vs South Africa which takes place later this evening.
A huge chance for both sides to reach the final four. Should Fiji triumph, it would be their first time in a World Cup semi-final.
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 15:45
Kick-off fast approaching
Plenty of costumes on display in Marseille. Should be a cracking atmosphere…
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 15:43
England vs Fiji – lineups
Just under 20 minutes until kick-off. A reminder of how both sides will line up:
England XV: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Dan Cole; 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Ollie Chessum; 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Alex Mitchell, 10 Owen Farrell; 11 Elliot Daly, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 13 Joe Marchant, 14 Jonny May; 15 Marcus Smith.
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 George Martin, 20 Billy Vunipola; 21 Danny Care, 22 George Ford, 23 Ollie Lawrence.
Fiji XV: 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 3 Luke Tagi, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 5 Albert Tuisue, 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 7 Levani Botia, 8 Viliame Mata; 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Vilimoni Botitu, 11 Semi Radradra, 12 Josua Tuisova, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 14 Vinaya Habosi, 15 Ilaisa Droasese.
Replacements: 16 Samuel Matavesi, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Meli Derenalagi, 20 Vilive Miramira, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Iosefo Masi, 23 Sireli Maqala.
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 15:38
England vs Fiji
The Independent’s Harry Latham-Coyle is in position in Marseille for this game. He sends this in before kick-off:
“A notably less intense atmosphere at the Stade Velodrome today, with a slight dip in temperature and a rather pleasant breeze cooling the fans coming in. A few Fijian flags are fluttering but it’s certainly a heavy English crowd – Steve Borthwick’s players have talked about how their supporters lifted them after Tom Curry’s sending off in their opening game against Argentina, and England will be hoping for something similar today.
“Can Fiji stun England again? There’s plenty of energy about their warm-up, the entirety of Simon Raiwalui’s squad charging about in some rather garish luminous orange shorts. England, conversely, are taking a more considered approach, engaging in a few final scrums and some kicks at goal – Owen Farrell, Marcus Smith, Elliot Daly, Ben Youngs and Freddie Steward were all testing their range.”
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 15:37
Ben Earl: ‘It’s time for England’s big game players to turn up’
It has been an oft-raised question over the last four years during their muddled build-up to this World Cup – who are the world-class players in England rugby’s side? Many a rugby watcher has busied idle fingers by sketching out a composite World XV to busy idle fingers – few would have included a single Englishman among their dream 15 before this tournament.
England, it seems, have noticed.
“You see a lot of stuff on social media about world 15s and stuff and there’s probably not a huge amount of representation from England in that regard,” says flanker Ben Earl ahead of their quarter-final meeting with Argentina. “A lot of people don’t think there’s that many of us in there.
“It’s just an opinion, but at the same time we know the quality we’ve got and we know that on any given day, some of the players we have got on our team turn up and we become a very, very hard team to beat. It’s kind of now or never on Sunday.”
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 15:33
England must ‘rise to the occasion’ against Fiji to avoid World Cup nightmare
Steve Borthwick saw it coming. Immediately after Fiji beat England at Twickenham, his side sent off on their French adventure by a chorus of boos, Borthwick made a prediction. “We knew they were an excellent side,” the England head coach said. “I think they are going to do very well at the World Cup. There’s the potential we might meet them again in a few weeks’ time.”
And here we are, seven weeks on, with England ready to reacquaint themselves with Fiji on Sunday afternoon. This is a World Cup quarter-final that does not much look like a World Cup quarter-final – a team beaten by Portugal a week ago against one that could only scrape past Samoa by a single point in their final pool game.
Read the England head coach’s thoughts ahead of kick-off:
Ben Fleming15 October 2023 15:28