Steve Borthwick’s side will now take on either France or South Africa (Picture: Getty)
England overcame a relentless Fiji side 30-24 in an electric quarter-final on Sunday to reach the last four of the Rugby World Cup and will now take on either hosts France or holders South Africa.
Steve Borthwick’s side endured a difficult build-up to the tournament and were surprisingly beaten 30-22 by Fiji in a warm-up game at Twickenham in August, but exacted some measure of revenge in Marseille.
The two teams both made ferociously fast starts to the match with England putting the first points on the board through the boot of Owen Farrell and bagged their first try not long after.
After several phases of play from a lineout, the ball landed in the hands of Manu Tuilagi on the left flank who managed to power and spin through a couple of tackles and reach out in the corner for his 20th try for his nation.
Frank Lomani cut the deficit with a penalty but it was a short-lived reprieve, with Joe Marchant darting inside and barrelling over the line for England moments later.
It was a double blow for Fiji, with Vinaya Habosi sent to the bin for a head-on-head collision with full-back-for-the-day Marcus Smith who sustained a bloody mouth and required treatment.
Just when it was starting to look like England might enjoy a comfortable afternoon, they turned over possession inside their own half and some fast hands and a clever dummy from Viliame Mata saw the huge No.8 dart through England’s defence.
Fiji kept pegging England back in a bruising contest (Picture: Getty)
Two nerveless penalties from skipper Farrell reestablished England’s lead and a pulsating first half ended with the 2003 champions 21-10 ahead and in control of the contest.
England were a little more ragged after the restart with the match becoming increasingly frantic, but their lead was extended again as Farrell converted three more points to leave Fiji in need of two converted tries.
Fiji, making their first quarter-final appearance since 2007, were not going to simply roll over though and a brilliant move saw the ball quickly spread out wide – where England were light – and Peni Ravai powered over the whitewash to make it a one-score game.
Suddenly England’s forwards, who had been so brilliant in the breakdown, started to look a little weary against the barrage of Fijian physicality and some panicked play gifted a penalty.
When Simione Kuruvoli’s effort hit off the post it was Fiji who recovered the ball and two brilliant offloads released Vilimoni Botitu to race clear, with Kuruvoli’s conversation tying the game in the blink of an eye.
Farrell’s kicking reasserted England’s control of the match (Picture: Getty)
England could have buckled but sustained pressure after the restart saw Farrell reclaim the lead with a drop goal and a remarkable breakaway run from man-of-the-match Ben Earl soon after led to another penalty and six-point advantage with just over two minutes left on the clock.
Fiji needed a converted try to pull off a stunning comeback win with the clock ticking over into the red amid a series of scrums, but one last bruising defensive push and a Courtney Lawes turnover sealed the victory for England amid a howl of relieved cheers and chest-beating.
England have defied gloomy pre-tournament predictions to reach the semi-finals – albeit with a more favourable draw than they might have expected – and will face either France or South Africa next, who face off at the Stade de France in Sunday’s late kick-off.
Steve Borthwick’s side will now take on either France or South Africa.