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England face Fiji in their final warm-up fixture before the Rugby World Cup begins in desperate need of an encouraging performance.
It’s been a tough August for Steve Borthwick’s side, beaten in Cardiff and Dublin either side of a narrow win over a weak Wales. To compound matters, both Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola will miss England’s World Cup opener against Argentina after receiving bans. This last Summer Nations Series encounter is their last chance to build momentum into the tournament, with the home side skippered by Courtney Lawes on the occasion of the flanker’s 100th cap.
With England in such a state, Fiji, who have never beaten their hosts, may just fancy their chances at Twickenham. Simon Raiwalui’s side have impressed over the summer and hopes are high on the Pacific Island that they can challenge Wales and Australia for a quarter-final place in Pool C at the tournament.
Follow all the latest from England vs Fiji below.
England vs Fiji – Rugby World Cup warm-up
- England take on Fiji in their final World Cup warm-up, with kick off at 3.15pm BST
- Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match on Amazon Prime Video
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England have never been less prepared as they face final Rugby World Cup warm-up
Perhaps England fans are starting to vote with their feet. There are mitigating circumstances as to why Twickenham may not be particularly close to full for England’s final World Cup warm-up match against Fiji – train strikes, the continuing cost of living crisis and rather more appetising Friday night fare among them – but certainly the Rugby Football Union (RFU) would have preferred a few more to RSVP to England’s leaving do.
A celebratory send-off this will surely not be. Regardless of the result this weekend, England will head to their World Cup training base in Le Touquet next Thursday never worse prepared for a tournament. Even the most ardent of supporters and most optimistic of analysts are reaching for glimmers out of the darkness within which Steve Borthwick’s side seem to be consumed. If these four warm-up matches were meant to leave enough runway to build momentum ahead of the tournament, then England have, true to this squandered four-year cycle, careered most definitely off course.
Harry Latham-Coyle26 August 2023 14:05
England vs Fiji
Follow all the latest as England take on Fiji in their final World Cup warm-up match.
Lawrence Ostlere26 August 2023 13:59