England v Fiji

The rugby rivalry between England and Fiji may not be as historic as some of the other nations, but the matches between these two sides have been notable, particularly in recent years. Here’s an overview of the history between England and Fiji in rugby:

Early Encounters:

The first official match between England and Fiji took place in 1988 when Fiji toured England. At this time, Fiji was not yet one of the leading rugby nations, and England won the match comfortably.

Rugby World Cup Meetings:

  • 1999 Rugby World Cup: England and Fiji met in the group stage. England won the game 45-24, though Fiji showed moments of skill and power that hinted at their potential on the international stage.

  • 2003 Rugby World Cup: The two teams met again in the group stage, and England triumphed 50-3, advancing to the knockout stages as one of the tournament favourites. Fiji was not as competitive at this stage.

  • 2007 Rugby World Cup: Fiji achieved one of their most memorable results against England, pulling off a massive upset in a 38-34 win in the group stages. This victory was one of the major shocks of the 2007 tournament, as Fiji’s physical and fast style of play overwhelmed England.

  • 2011 Rugby World Cup: England and Fiji faced off once more in the group stage, and England won the match 61-17. Despite the large margin, Fiji showed resilience, particularly in the second half.

  • 2015 Rugby World Cup: In the opening match of the tournament, England defeated Fiji 35-11 at Twickenham. This was a crucial victory for England in their quest to progress from the group stages.

  • 2019 Rugby World Cup: England met Fiji in the pool stage of the World Cup. England won 45-10 in a dominant performance, with their physicality and clinical finishing proving too much for Fiji.

Recent Encounters:

In more recent years, England and Fiji have met in the Autumn Nations Series or other international test series. England has generally had the upper hand in these matches, but Fiji’s style of play – combining speed, flair, and physicality – has made them a difficult team to beat.

Key Moments:

  • Fiji’s Progress: Over the years, Fiji’s rugby development has been impressive, particularly with its success in the Sevens format. The emergence of players like Jonny Wilkinson, Dan Carter, and Mako Vunipola from the Pacific Islands has increased the competitiveness of teams like Fiji on the international stage.

  • England’s Dominance: England has generally dominated the head-to-head record but has struggled against Fiji in certain tournaments. Their physical forwards have historically been able to impose themselves on Fiji, which is more known for their attacking flair.

All-Time Head-to-Head:

England has historically had a strong record against Fiji, with a significant number of wins. However, Fiji has managed to make some key upsets, especially during the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The matches between these two sides are often competitive and entertaining, with England’s structured play and Fiji’s exciting flair contrasting sharply.

Rugby World Cup Upsets:

  • The 2007 Rugby World Cup result (Fiji 38-34 England) remains one of the most memorable upsets in World Cup history, where Fiji’s attacking rugby and England’s struggles on the day led to one of the major surprises of the tournament.

Playing Styles:

  • England: Traditionally, England has focused on forward dominance, structured set-pieces, and a tactical kicking game. They rely on strong pack play and control over the game’s tempo.

  • Fiji: Fiji is renowned for its free-flowing, attacking rugby, particularly in open play. They focus on fast-paced counterattacks and often produce some of the most spectacular tries in international rugby.

Recent Trends:

In recent years, England has continued to develop its structured game under coaches like Eddie Jones and Steve Borthwick, while Fiji has been more unpredictable, with periods of stunning brilliance. England’s advantage over Fiji has been clear in most of their encounters, but Fiji has continued to grow as a competitive rugby nation.

The future of the rivalry looks promising as both teams continue to evolve, with Fiji’s Sevens prowess and flair in attack giving them the potential to be a threat at any level. England, however, remains one of the top rugby nations in the world, making any match between them highly anticipated.

England v Fiji – Autumn Internationals 2025 – Twickenham Stadium

Saturday 8th November 2025 – (5:40pm kick-off)Â