England vs Fiji LIVE! Rugby World Cup warm-up result, match stream and rugby updates today

England vs Fiji LIVE!

The final of England’s Rugby World Cup warm-up games could not have more hinging on it. Defeats in two of their three preparation matches so far, plus off-field problems including injuries and suspensions, have piled the pressure on the Red Rose.

Before the tournament gets underway in just a fortnight’s time, Steve Borthwick’s men have one last chance to build some confidence in themselves and among supporters that they can put together a title run in France. That comes against Fiji at Twickenham today.

The Pacific islanders have put together a strong squad for the World Cup and are no team to be taken lightly these days, despite having lost every one of their matches with England previously. They know a victory in west London will send a big message to their Pool C rivals. Follow England vs Fiji LIVE via Standard Sport’s matchday blog, featuring expert analysis from Nick Purewal at Twickenham!

England vs Fiji updates

• TRY! May ends wait for back to score

• TRY! Habosi strolls through to open up lead

• TRY! Smith delivers instant reply off bench

• TRY! Kuruvoli scores to wrap it up for Fiji

Thanks for joining us!

17:25 , Marc Mayo

Well. We’ll see you in a fortnight for the kick-off of the Rugby World Cup.

Are England ready? Let’s just say there aren’t many serious predictions that they’ll get very far.

Recap the action from a historic win for Fiji here.

Watch the Fijian celebrations

17:14 , Marc Mayo

This is Fiji’s day

17:09 , Marc Mayo

But, of course, a lot of focus will be on England after that display.

Weak. Scared. Confused. Tame. Plenty of words for it.

Nick Purewal at Twickenham

17:07 , Marc Mayo

Fiji claim their first-ever win over England, triumphing 30-22 at Twickenham. Full credit to Simon Raiwalui’s side. They were everything England are not.

Steve Borthwick and England are in big, big trouble ahead of this World Cup.

England 22-30 Fiji: FULL TIME!

17:05 , Marc Mayo

HISTORY FOR FIJI!

England 22-30 Fiji: 79 mins

17:04 , Marc Mayo

The brilliant Selestino Ravutaumada is named man of the match, the 23-year-old Drua wing has been awesome today.

Nick Purewal at Twickenham

17:02 , Marc Mayo

Fiji win a turnover penalty deep in their own 22 and the visitors’ fans go crazy once again. The Islanders are closing in on a historic victory here.

England 22-30 Fiji: 77 mins

17:01 , Marc Mayo

FIJI FANS GO WILD!

England get to within a few metres of the try line but can’t release the ball and a penalty is called. Those adorned in blue flags are celebrating in their corner of Twickenham!

A huge attack to repel with such little time left...

Nick Purewal at Twickenham

16:59 , Marc Mayo

The chant of ‘Fiji, Fiji, Fiji’ rings around a stunned Twickenham, as the Simione Kuruvoli claims a third try for the Islanders. Muntz’s conversion puts Fiji into a 30-22 lead.

England 22-30 Fiji: 75 mins

16:58 , Marc Mayo

To catch you up, Will Stuart, David Ribbans and Danny Care came on for Dan Cole, Ollie Chessum and Alex Mitchell before that try.

They’ve got a hell of a job on.

England 22-30 Fiji: Kuruvoli try | 73’

16:57 , Marc Mayo

Fiji push England onto the back foot straight away but lose out near the try line as Freddie Steward jumps on the loose ball.

The kick can’t find touch though and the visitors come again, Selestino Ravutaumada pops up wide right to continue his impressive display - and he spins an offload to Simione Kuruvoli for a try!

Caleb Muntz converts and England are, once again, over a try back.

England 22-23 Fiji: Marchant try | 69’

16:52 , Marc Mayo

England go for a lineout rather than the posts off a penalty and once again get into deep Fiji territory.

They’ve converted very little from this position so far but go left-to-right to find Joe Marchant to score!

Superb kick from a tight angle by George Ford.

Highlights: Marcus Smith gets England back within touching distance

16:51 , Marc Mayo

England 15-23 Fiji: 64 mins

16:48 , Marc Mayo

George Ford has to delay a kick across field but still finds Ben Earl with a decent lob, yet the tackle lands as the catch comes in and another chance goes begging.

Highlights: Fiji’s second try opens up gap in the scores

16:45 , Marc Mayo

England 15-23 Fiji: Muntz penalty | 60'

16:44 , Marc Mayo

Alex Mitchell pulled up for a high tackle on Selestino Ravutaumada but the punishment stops there, with the referee saying a “lack of danger” means no card.

Caleb Muntz lines up the kick from a 46m distance and continues his fantastic display in front of the posts!

Nick Purewal at Twickenham

16:41 , Marc Mayo

Less than five minutes after joining the fray, Marcus Smith sneaks in for a try from the cutest of chips from Ford. The officials deem Smith onside – just – from the kick, and England have another score.

Smith is on at full-back in a positive experiment from Borthwick. The high-octane Harlequin will hopefully add pace and guile to England’s attack.

England 15-20 Fiji: Smith try | 58'

16:40 , Marc Mayo

ENGLAND BACK IN IT!

George Ford dinks the ball over the top, Fiji fail to grasp it and Marcus Smith slides home under the posts!

An easy conversion from Ford.

Nick Purewal at Twickenham

16:39 , Marc Mayo

Muntz’s penalty puts Fiji 20-8 up. Remember, Fiji have NEVER beaten England. There is a genuine chance of this happening now. Another horror show for England so far.

England 8-20 Fiji: Muntz penalty | 57'

16:38 , Marc Mayo

Marcus Smith and Joe Marchant replace Freddie Steward and Ollie Lawrence before England’s task gets bigger with Caleb Muntz’s second penalty of the day.

Nick Purewal at Twickenham

16:37 , Marc Mayo

Wing Vinaya Habosi storms home to extend Fiji’s lead, and stun sloppy, shoddy England again. Muntz pinged the conversion to boot, to put Fiji 17-8 to the good.

England are again all at sea here.

England 8-17 Fiji: Habosi try | 52’

16:34 , Marc Mayo

ANOTHER TRY!

Fiji cruise out of a tackle with Vinaya Habosi grabbing the ball and simply bombing through the line, touching down with ease.

Caleb Muntz flies home a decent conversion from out wide.

England are in a deep, deep hole...

Highlights: Fiji take the lead at Twickenham

16:31 , Marc Mayo

England 8-10 Fiji: 51 mins

16:29 , Marc Mayo

Joe Marler replaces Ellis Genge off the bench, for his first Test appearance in 18 months.

England 8-10 Fiji: 50 mins

16:29 , Marc Mayo

The Red Rose are into double digits of phase play as they force their way to within touching distance of the try line.

An unfortunate deflection pushes George Ford back... but England concede a penalty as Ford fails to release the ball from the tackle. Turnover.

Nick Purewal at Twickenham

16:25 , Marc Mayo

England were let off with a warning when Fiji bungled a try in the first-half with a forward pass.

But the Pacific Islanders made no mistake after the restart, with Nayacalevu powering in this time. And Muntz’s conversion wrestled a 10-8 lead for the visitors.

England 8-10 Fiji: Nayacalevu try | 43’

16:22 , Marc Mayo

This time Fiji make it count! It’s that same one-two punch as Waisea Nayacalevu takes a pass from Selestino Ravutaumada’s expert break - this time the pass is safe and he touches down.

Caleb Muntz kicks and the visitors lead!

England vs Fiji: KICK-OFF!

16:18 , Marc Mayo

Time for the second half at Twickenham as both teams begin a valuable final 40 minutes of game time before they step out at the Rugby World Cup.

No changes for either team!

Plenty more to show for England

16:14 , Marc Mayo

It’s important not to underrate Fiji by dismissing England’s difficulties as purely down to their own long-known struggles.

But Steve Borthwick’s side lost control after taking a good early lead and failed to convert a vital chance to score late in that half.

Fiji look for a clinical edge

16:11 , Marc Mayo

The Pacific islanders have shown they will be no pushover at next month’s World Cup, now they need to show they have the ruthlessness to beat a wilting England side for the first time.

Nick Purewal at Twickenham

16:09 , Marc Mayo

England are lucky to take an 8-3 lead into half-time, there’s no more to it than that. The final five minutes of the first-half was England throwing the kitchen sink at Fiji in the shape of repeated driven lineouts.

Fiji lost Saracens prop Eroni Mawi to the sin-bin – but on the very next maul, the visitors turned England over, with 14 men. Finally England have a backline try through May, but Borthwick’s men are still way short here.

Half time!

16:03 , Marc Mayo

Fiji punt the ball into touch from the scrum deep in their own half and that’s the break!

England 8-3 Fiji: 40 mins

16:01 , Marc Mayo

A penalty kick to the corner continues England’s push for a try to cap this half.

Again, the maul is all England but the ball fails to pop out and Fiji win the penalty!

England 8-3 Fiji: 39 mins

15:59 , Marc Mayo

A bit better from England as they force their way up the pitch with a pair of advantages that go unused.

A kick for the corner earns a lineout within reach of the try line. The Red Rose are pushing their opponents back with advantage won in the maul!

They play in wide for Max Malins... he’s forced into touch as he dives in!

Eron Mawi into the sin bin as the play is pulled back.

Nick Purewal at Twickenham

15:54 , Marc Mayo

England are handed a major reprieve as Waisea Nayacalevu goes under the posts only for the score to be chalked off for a forward pass. Selesitino Ravutaumada stepped in and around two would-be England defenders before sending his captain home.

Replays showed a forward pass though, and the try was ruled out. A lucky escape for England, who have been quiet and sloppy since that try from May.

England 8-3 Fiji: 35 mins

15:54 , Marc Mayo

It doesn’t take long for Fiji to come again... Semi Radradra flattens Max Malins with a line break and they’re within the 20m line.

Viliame Mata edges through the line but fumbles and the attack ends.

England 8-3 Fiji: 32 mins

15:51 , Marc Mayo

That is a warning sign for England, who ultimately benefit from an unforced error to keep their lead.

Fiji have been strong in pushing for the extra metre or two when carrying the ball into tackles and have penned England in rather well.

From the scrum however, George Ford kicks long and deep to earn some respite.

England 8-3 Fiji: TRY DISALLOWED!

15:50 , Marc Mayo

Selestino Ravutaumada engineered the break by dancing through two tackles - but that pass looks forward on review... try disallowed!

England 8-8 Fiji: Nayacalevu try | 31'

15:49 , Marc Mayo

Waisea Nayacalevu touches down!

A brilliant burst from Fiji is finished off but TMO wants a look.

England 8-3 Fiji: 29 mins

15:46 , Marc Mayo

Fiji have grown into the game nicely but a scrappy period, given the difficulty in handling the ball, fails to yield any scoring opportunities.

England 8-3 Fiji: 25 mins

15:40 , Marc Mayo

The ball slips out of Semi Radradra’s grasp as Fiji burst through the line to get as close to the England line as they have done all half.

A minor warning for England, who kick clear.

Highlights: Jonny May touches down in the corner

15:38 , Marc Mayo

England 8-3 Fiji: 22 mins

15:37 , Marc Mayo

Frank Lomani is forced into touch after a bomb kick to the left flank from England, who chase well for the turnover.

The lineout is completed but Fiji win the next kick and keep it with a punt forward of their own, via a scuffed grab from the hosts. The wet ball is making things really tricky out there.

England 8-3 Fiji: Muntz penalty | 18'

15:33 , Marc Mayo

An England offside hands Caleb Muntz the chance to put Fiji on the board from just inside the halfway line. Nails it!

England 8-0 Fiji: 13 mins

15:28 , Marc Mayo

The rain has started hammering around an echoing Twickenham. We started in reasonable sunshine!

It’s currently 30°C in Marseille (albeit with a chance of thunderstorms)...

Nick Purewal at Twickenham

15:26 , Marc Mayo

England’s barren run without a try from a back is capped at six hours and one minute. And Jonny May breaks that deadlock with a fine finish. It’s all about the speed of service from Mitchell again, allowing Ford to whip a ball over the top for May to do the rest.

England 8-0 Fiji: May try | 9’

15:24 , Marc Mayo

We hit the six-hour mark since an England back last scored a try - and that sounds like just about enough...

Alex Mitchell feeds the scrum and advantage again goes to the hosts, who slot the ball wide to Jonny May and the countdown comes to a finish!

The kick, right over on the left flank, is skewed wide.

Nick Purewal at Twickenham

15:22 , Marc Mayo

Alex Mitchell’s speed and quality of service at scrum-half is already a revelation here. The Northampton man can press claims greatly for the World Cup opener against Argentina with a strong game.

England 3-0 Fiji: Ford penalty | 6'

15:21 , Marc Mayo

A Fiji offside allows England to attack with advantage but it goes nowhere so they’ll settle for an early kick at goal.

Barely 15 yards out and central for George Ford, who has no trouble kicking that!

England on the board.

England 0-0 Fiji: 2 mins

15:18 , Marc Mayo

Manu Tuilagi pulled up for holding onto the ball in an early burst from the hosts.

Fiji control the lineout but lose out in the breakdown and England have the ball back via their own penalty.

England vs Fiji: KICK-OFF!

15:15 , Marc Mayo

Jaco Peyper blows his whistle and we’re underway at Twickenham! Time for England to throw down some sort of gauntlet...

Here comes the Fiji Cibi

15:13 , Marc Mayo

England link arms to watch the traditional Fiji war dance, which gets a cracking reception from the home fans.

Time for the anthems

15:11 , Marc Mayo

‘God Bless Fiji’ first up, and sang eloquently by their players, before ‘God Save The King’ rises Twickenham.

Here come the players!

15:09 , Marc Mayo

Courtney Lawes, joined by his kids, leads out England to captain the Red Rose on his 100th cap.

Recap the teamsheets before the teams emerge

15:07 , Marc Mayo

Nick Purewal at Twickenham

15:05 , Marc Mayo

Twickenham’s top tier is not even open today, in a stark indication of the modest crowd here today. Compare and contrast that with last night’s sell-out, where South Africa inflicted New Zealand’s highest-ever international rugby defeat.

The South African diaspora turned Twickenham into Loftus Earlsfield – one for the south west London regulars – as Siya Kolisi and Company laid down a serious Rugby World Cup marker. England have not even picked anything up this month, let alone thought about laying something down.

Here’s hoping Steve Borthwick’s flailing men finally find some poise, impetus and incision today.

England vs Fiji: Countdown to kick-off

15:02 , Marc Mayo

The warm-ups are done and players inside their dressing roomers for the final time before kick-off.

Twickenham is filling nicely, with only the bottom two tiers open.

Landmark for Lawes

15:00 , Jonathan Gorrie

Courtney Lawes follows Ben Youngs, Jason Leonard, Owen Farrell and Dane Cole as the fifth men’s player to reach 100 England camps.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

14:37 , Jonathan Gorrie

England have won all seven of their encounters with Fiji, the latest coming in a 2016 Test.

Nick Purewal’s pre-match video verdict

14:26 , Jonathan Gorrie

A hugely important afternoon for England...

Steve Borthwick faces a mammoth task as England problems continue to mount ahead of Rugby World Cup

14:21 , Jonathan Gorrie

England have 14 just days to build and implement a gameplan to beat Argentina without either their tactical general or their physical fulcrum.

Both fly-half and captain Owen Farrell and powerhouse No 8 Billy Vunipola will miss England’s biggest match in four years, suspended after high tackles.

New head coach Steve Borthwick was handed a hospital pass challenge of turning England into world beaters in seven months.

Boil that down to two-and-a-half weeks, and Borthwick could be forgiven for dialling France’s emergency number.

Read the full story here!

Billy Vunipola banned for England’s crucial opening Rugby World Cup clash with Argentina

13:57 , Jonathan Gorrie

Billy Vunipola will miss England’s crucial Rugby World Cup clash with Argentina after receiving a two-match suspension for his high tackle on Ireland’s Andrew Porter.

England will be without both captain Owen Farrell and wrecking-ball No 8 Vunipola for their World Cup opener, against the physical and threatening Pumas, in Marseille on Saturday, September 9.

The absence of two vital cogs in head coach Steve Borthwick’s team creates an immediate selection headache for the critical encounter against Michael Cheika’s team.

Read the full story here!

Rugby World Cup is a recipe for disaster unless England’s toothless attack finds bite

13:41 , Jonathan Gorrie

England are almost locked in a game of Can’t Attack, Won’t Attack in the phoney war of the Rugby World Cup warm-up schedule.

There is no Ainsley Harriott figure, however, to judge whether England are genuinely incapable of unlocking opposition defences or simply refusing to turn up the heat.

Even the ultra-enthusiastic TV chef would struggle to find enough plus points for a positive review of Steve Borthwick’s rugby recipe.

Read the full story here!

England handed fresh Rugby World Cup injury blow as Elliot Daly a doubt for Argentina opener

13:25 , Jonathan Gorrie

England‘s Rugby World Cup plans have suffered yet another blow, with Elliot Daly facing a race to be fit for their opener against Argentina amid a mounting injury and availability crisis.

Saracen Daly’s knee problem could keep him out of England’s opening World Cup clash against the Pumas in Marseille on September 9.

If the 30-year-old fails to make the Pool D opener, England could be missing more than a third of their preferred starting XV.

Anthony Watson was ruled out of the entire tournament yesterday with a calf injury, with the luckless wing likely to be replaced by Jonny May in England’s 33-man squad.

New Zealand and South Africa remind England that rugby CAN be fun

13:15 , Jonathan Gorrie

Rugby’s Harlem Globetrotters lit up Twickenham with full-throttle attacking flair that made England look like Trotters Independent Traders.

Reigning world champions South Africa inflicted a record Test defeat on three-time Rugby World Cup winners New Zealand, in a stunning 35-7 triumph.

Beyond the shockingly heavy loss for a New Zealand side that still showed fine ambition though, the capital’s diaspora came out in force to back their boys on tour in a frenzied contest.

Read Nick Purewal’s full analysis here!

Steve Borthwick praying final World Cup test does not add to his horror-story week

13:06 , Jonathan Gorrie

Steve Borthwick keeps a meticulous journal for each Rugby World Cup he attends, as either player or coach. His diary for 2023 most likely already reads like a Stephen King novel.

Horror master King’s famed fright fest ‘It’ revolves around a ghoul that takes the form of its target’s worst fears. Pennywise the Clown terrorised the dreams of a generation of readers in the most common iteration of that evil spirit.

Read the full story here!

Prediction: England to edge narrow win

13:00 , Jonathan Gorrie

This is it for England, the last chance to show they can make a decent fist of the upcoming World Cup before it begins.

Fiji are arguably the most impressive they’ve ever been and will take heart from a solid performance against a vulnerable top-tier side, with the chances of a thumping win for the home team remote.

Still, there is enough quality in the Red Rose ranks to secure the victory with minds hopefully being focused this week by the off-pitch issues.

England to win narrowly

Fiji lineup as Nayacalevu takes armband

13:00 , Jonathan Gorrie

Fiji made the surprise call to leave out Racing 92 fly-half Ben Volavola from their World Cup squad. Northampton duo Sam Matavesi and Temo Mayanavanua are among their Premiership representatives.

Fiji XV: E Mawi; S Matavesi, L Tagi, I Nasilasila, T A Cirikidveta, A Tuisue; L Tagitagivalu; V Mata, F Lomani, C Muntz; V Habosi, S Radradra; W Nayacalevu (capt), S Ravutaumada, I Droasese.

Replacements: Z Togiatama, J Koroiduadua, S Tawake, T Mayanavanua, V Miramira, S Kuruvoli, T Tela, K Ravouvou.

England lineup as nine changes made

12:59 , Jonathan Gorrie

George Ford has stepped up again to replace Farrell at fly-half with Earl favoured to come in for Vunipola.

Courtney Lawes takes the armband on his 100th cap and there is a place for Jonny May, who could earn a recall to the squad proper after injuries to Anthony Watson and Elliot Daly.

Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence start in midfield with Alex Mitchell at scrum-half and Ollie Chessum back for his first start after injury.

England XV: F Steward; M Malins, O Lawrence, M Tuilagi, J May, G Ford; A Mitchell; E Genge, T Dan, D Cole; M Itoje, O Chessum; C Lawes (capt), J Willis, B Earl.

Replacements: J Walker, J Marler, W Stuart, D Ribbans, L Ludlam, D Care, M Smith, J Marchant.

Where to watch England vs Fiji

12:58 , Jonathan Gorrie

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be broadcast on Amazon Prime.

Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Amazon Prime app.

Live blog: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, with Nick Purewal at the ground to provide expert analysis.

Welcome

12:57 , Jonathan Gorrie

Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of England’s final Rugby World Cup warm-up game against Fiji.

Kick-off from Twickenham is at 3.15pm BST.