Preview: England v Fiji

25 Aug 2023 | 5 min |

Everything you need to know ahead of England's final Summer Series fixture against Fiji at Twickenham.

Courtney Lawes will win his 100th cap as England captain against Fiji in the last of England’s Summer Nations Series games before the start of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

QUIZ: Test your England v Fiji knowledge

When?	Saturday, 26 August
Where?	Twickenham Stadium
Kick off	15:15 BST
Where can I watch?	Amazon Prime Video

Lawes brings up his century of England appearances having made his debut as a 20-year-old against Australia in 2009.

Nine changes have been made to the starting lineup that faced Ireland last weekend. In the front row, Theo Dan gets his first England start at hooker, where he is joined alongside by Ellis Genge and Dan Cole.

Ollie Chessum receives his first start since the 2023 Guinness Six Nations after recovering from an ankle injury partnering Maro Itoje in the second row. Jack Willis makes his first start of the series at openside flanker, with skipper Lawes on the blindside and Ben Earl at the back completing the starting forward pack.

Scrum-half Alex Mitchell partners George Ford at 10 and in the centres, Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence combine. In the back three, Jonny May replaces Anthony Watson on the left wing for the first time this summer with Max Malins on the right and Freddie Steward taking his place at fullback.

Hooker Jack Walker is named amongst the replacements alongside Joe Marler, Will Stuart, David Ribbans, Lewis Ludlam, Danny Care, Marcus Smith, and Joe Marchant.

VIEWS FROM CAMP

Steve Borthwick: “All of the Summer Nations Series Test matches have provided us with an opportunity to continue our preparations for the Rugby World Cup in France.

"Fiji have proven themselves to be a strong opposition and we look forward to what we expect to be an exciting and challenging game. Rest assured that we will be looking to convert the opportunities we have recently been creating week-on-week into points on the scoreboard."

TEAMS

England

15. Freddie Steward, 14. Max Malins, 13. Ollie Lawrence, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 11. Jonny May, 10. George Ford, 9. Alex Mitchell, 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Theo Dan, 3. Dan Cole, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Ollie Chessum, 6. Courtney Lawes (C), 7. Jack Willis, 8. Ben Earl

Replacements

16. Jack Walker, 17. Joe Marler, 18. Will Stuart, 19. David Ribbans, 20, Lewis Ludlam, 21. Danny Care, 22. Marcus Smith, 23. Joe Marchant

Fiji

15. Ilaisa Droasese, 14. Selestino Ravutaumada, 13. Waisea Nayacalevu, 12. Semi Radradra, 11. Vinaya Habosi, 10. Caleb Muntz, 9. Frank Lomani 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Sam Matavesi 3. Luka Tagi, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 6. Albert Tuisue, 7. Lekima Tagitagivalu, 8. Viliame Mata

Replacements

16. Zuriel Togiatama, 17. Jone Koroiduadua, 18. Samu Tawake, 19. Temo Mayanavanua, 20. Vilive Miramira, 21. Simione Kuruvolia, 22. Teti Tela, 23. Kalaveti Ravouvou

STATS

England have won all seven of their previous Test matches against Fiji, scoring 25+ points and leading at half-time in each of those fixtures.

Fiji have won three of their last four Test matches after losing four in a row previously and have scored 2+ tries in each of their last 12 games, including 4+ tries in each of those three wins.

England’s most recent win against Fiji came by a margin of 43 points (58-15 in November 2016), their heaviest ever win against them.