England v Fiji, 18 September

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ENGLAND v FIJI
18 September 2015
KO: 20:00 BST
Twickenham, London

Live on ITV and BBC Radio 5 live

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Touch judges: John Lacey (Ireland) & Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

A. Head to Head

5 Played 5
5 Won 0
0 Drawn 0
0 Lost 5
210 Points 83

B. Recent Form

10 November 2012
England 54 - 12 Fiji
Twickenham

20 October 1999
England 45 - 24 Fiji
Twickenham

20 July 1991
Fiji 12 - 28 England
National Stadium, Suva

04 November 1989
England 58 - 23 Fiji
Twickenham

17 June 1988
Fiji 12 - 25 England
National Stadium, Suva

C. Teams

ENGLAND

Mike Brown (Harlequins); Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby); George Ford (Bath Rugby); Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers); Joe Marler (Harlequins), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Geoff Parling (Exeter Chiefs), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), Chris Robshaw (capt, Harlequins), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby).

Replacements: Rob Webber (Bath Rugby), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Sam Burgess (Bath Rugby).

FIJI

1. Campese Ma’afu
2. Sunia Koto
3. Manasa Saulo
4. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Dominiko Waqaniburotu
7. Akapusi Qera (Captain)
8. Sakiusa Masi Matadigo

9. Nikola Matawalu
10. Ben Volavola
11. Nemani Nadolo
12. Gabiriele Lovobalavu
13. Vereniki Goneva
14. Waisea Nayacalevu
15. Metuisela Talebula

16. Tuapati Talemaitoga
17. Peni Ravai
18. Isei Colati
19. Tevita Cavubati
20. Peceli Yato
21. Nemia Kenatale
22. Joshua Matavesi
23. Aseli Tikoirotuma

RUGBY!!!!

Ahem.

Let's assume - big assumption - England win.

If we have only scored three tries, but lead by seven points or less, what should be our target as the clock ticks down?

Should we go for the bonus point try, or look to bank the win? It would be a big call. Keep the ball in play, and you risk losing the match.

The group could come down to bonus points but any team in the pool winning all its matches ought to go through. I just hope our coaching team has considered this scenario, so we don't have Robshaw looking bemused as time ticks away.

Rugby Fan wrote:Let's assume - big assumption - England win.

If we have only scored three tries, but lead by seven points or less, what should be our target as the clock ticks down?

Should we go for the bonus point try, or look to bank the win? It would be a big call. Keep the ball in play, and you risk losing the match.

The group could come down to bonus points but any team in the pool winning all its matches ought to go through. I just hope our coaching team has considered this scenario, so we don't have Robshaw looking bemused as time ticks away.

Robshaw always looks bemused. It's his face

Fortune favours the brave Rugby Fan. Of course, in that scenario Fijis players will be going hell for leather themselves to secure the biggest win of their international careers. They'll be keeping the ball in play, they'll be pushing the envelope- so good chance they could be hot on the break.

Don't think it will be that close at the end. Will be hoping it is, but don't think it will.

England by 30 or so. Fiji to get a player red-carded.

No cause for worry as long as England maintain their composure and don't make a slow start.

shame the only Cornish boy on the pitch today is playing for Fiji but at least it means I get to support the winner either way

The fact that Big Phil Vickery isn't even in the squad is bizarre to say the least.

FecklessRogue wrote:The fact that Big Phil Vickery isn't even in the squad is bizarre to say the least.

What! That's absurd. I'm very surprised. Will he retire now that he's been overlooked?

This coverage is a bit Anglo-centric. What a disgrace!







Only kidding! Good luck England. I don't doubt that you'll win comfortably tonight, but a small part of me obviously wants a Fiji just to give Wales more of a chance in the group. But England's power will tell. Good luck for the tournament.

Griff wrote:

FecklessRogue wrote:The fact that Big Phil Vickery isn't even in the squad is bizarre to say the least.

What! That's absurd. I'm very surprised. Will he retire now that he's been overlooked?

nah, he's got at least another 4-5 seasons of rugby in him

Good luck tonight to England and English fans. Really hope its a great match with an England win but more importantly, no injuries

eirebilly wrote:Good luck tonight to England and English fans. Really hope its a great match with an England win but more importantly, no injuries

This group is TOUGH. I remember being shocked when I first heard it, but hearing Lancaster's point of view on the group has reaffirmed just how difficult this is going to be. If they do top their group, the players are going to be very sore and tired after some very difficult games. Will they be able to carry that intensity for the whole tournament?

don't think this will be an easy game for England, Fiji have actually spent time together which is abnormal for them

FecklessRogue wrote:The fact that Big Phil Vickery isn't even in the squad is bizarre to say the least.

I was thinking more of Nowell I must admit. Not LCD, we need some accuracy from the hooker.

eirebilly wrote:Good luck tonight to England and English fans. Really hope its a great match with an England win but more importantly, no injuries

Cheers Billy.

We have lift off. Enjoy the ride.

Pretty easy start for England, a nice simple one for Ford to start. Volavola looked nervous early on.

Fiji looking fierce as expected though.  This looks like the close contest many expected.

England defence up a lot quicker than Canada was a couple of weeks ago though.

Watson is a really talented footballer. He gave the ball a little early to Brown though.

ah come on, that tackle wasnt that bad - just a pen and lets move on

Big decision this - will define how these kind of tackles are treated all WC

He hit the ground like a feather, please don't let the officials over react to this.

Good decision there, glad to see it.

I cant believe they were even debating a YC there

Thank goodness that wasn't a red card.

What a crock of absolute Shiite. If that's the way the World Cup will be refereed then it's a waste of time showing up.

Yeah, he released the leg when he realised he might be causing him to be up-ended.

Good decision. Probably not even a penalty. Returned him to the ground safely IMO.

Good god, peyper should just put on an England shirt now. What a crock.

donglewood wrote:What a crock of absolute Shiite. If that's the way the World Cup will be refereed then it's a waste of time showing up.

to be honest, he should of used common sense and not lifted his leg up - players surely know how dodgy these laws are

Fantastic rolling maul from England.

donglewood wrote:Good god, peyper should just put on an England shirt now. What a crock.

oh i can see how this is going to be in this thread with you...

I wonder if that yellow was from the penalty try or him not heeding the warning to stop yapping at the ref!

My money's on the latter knowing Matawalu!

Ten minutes in and the partisan TV replay destroys the credibility of the World Cup. What a crock. What an absolute crock.

They don't come more blatant than that. Some fantastic driving leading to it though, power and pace.

I understand the penalty try but not so sure about the yellow, I think Peyper wanted show one for the May tackle so he got his way in the end.

Not making much difference as England are a class above.

donglewood wrote:Ten minutes in and the partisan TV replay destroys the credibility of the World Cup. What a crock. What an absolute crock.

it was a penalty though?

We were all worries that England wouldn't be able to host a credible World Cup, ten minutes in and we're now sure they can't. What a crock.

Maul was t&t but ref missed it.

Tom Youngs is really making his presence known in this game. He has put in some big tackles.

trebellbobaggins wrote:

donglewood wrote:Ten minutes in and the partisan TV replay destroys the credibility of the World Cup. What a crock. What an absolute crock.

it was a penalty though?

Not a penalty. The rolling maul was truck and trailer, and suddenly a penalty try and yellow card? Just ridiculous.

Yeah I agree. Pretty blatant.

The opening scrum penalty was blatant boring in. Peyper is in the grasp of the twickenham effect.

give it a rest mate, its clear England wont win this on merit..

Here it comes, yet another "video yellow card" at tickenham.

Jeez, the England kit looks atrocious. Like bad tomatoes.

England look nervous and are not making great decisions. Should just go through the phases, nice and carefully. Stop kicking the ball away, no need for extra passes. Simple Rugby boys.

Good lord, this isn't even going to be a completion with 200 security cameras permanently focussed on England's opposition.

Fiji aren't helping themselves but my god there seems to be a magnifying glass on them

Coincidence that ALL video interventions are in favour of England?