Borthwick & Farrell react to quarter-final win
Head coach Steve Borthwick and captain Owen Farrell react to England's 30-24 victory over Fiji in Marseille.
Tries from Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant as well as 20 points from the boot of Owen Farrell secured the victory, as England held off a ferocious Fijian side whose points came via Viliame Mata, Peni Ravai and Vilimoni Botitu tries, and nine points from the tee.
Performance
Farrell: "It was a controlled performance at times, but there’s plenty that we can do better. There’s plenty we can still clean up. You can see the power of Fijian team at times. They went a man down and they still managed to go through us at one point. Credit to them. It was a tough, tough battle."
Borthwick: "An immense credit to players for dealing with it. But what a performance by Fiji, not just tonight but this World Cup. What a team they are. Well coached and jam-packed with world-class talent. We knew it was going to be a tough game and it was.
"For large parts of the game we controlled it. There was a spell when Fiji scored back-to-back tries which Fiji can do well, probably better than anyone else in the world. But we stayed composed and got back ahead on the scoreboard and that’s what the players did."
"I'm really pleased for the players out there and the squad of 33 who have worked really hard for the result tonight. I'm really pleased for all of the supporters, both here in the ground tonight who I thought were incredible and the millions back home who have been watching on television."
Momentum
Farrell: "It was what we expected. They are a tough, tough team that can turn it on in the blink of an eye. I thought we started the game really well. We really got after it in that first half.
(On his drop goal) "Just to try and get some points on the board for us and come away with points. The forwards did a great job and put it on the plate for us. Just had to knock it over."
Farrell & Smith
Borthwick: "I reiterate the words I have said many times about Owen, I think he is a fantastic leader. He is the kind of leader I know I would want to follow onto the pitch. I think he is a brilliant player who thrives in the contest and especially in these big occasions he just gets even better. We are very fortunate to have Owen as a player in this team and as our leader. He should feel very proud of his performance and the way he led the team."
"I thought Marcus played well. I thought he defended with a huge amount of courage. Not many people talk about Marcus' defence but I thought his defence was very, very good tonight."
Semi-final bound
Borthwick: "I have no control over that game (France v South Africa). We will watch it with a lot of interest. The players were written off. A lot of people said we wouldn’t get out of the pool. We got out of the pool, now we got out of the quarter-final.
"Now these players have an opportunity in Paris in the semi-final. I am sure we will be written off again but these players rise to the occasion."
