England vs Fiji LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 result and reaction after thrilling finish to quarter-final
England 30-24 Fiji: Owen Farrell kicked the vital points at the death to steer the Red Rose through to the semi-finals
England are through to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals after surviving a late Fiji comeback in Marseille.
Owen Farrell kicked the vital points required to steer Steve Borthwikck’s side through to a final four clash against either hosts France or defending champions South Africa, but only after Fiji levelled the contest at 24-24 with two quick-fire tries through prop Peni Ravai and flyhalf Vilimoni Botitu.
Fiji will rue three relatively simple shots at goal that were missed, as well as unforced errors that eased the pressure on England. Centres Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant scored first-half tries and Farrell was unerring with the boot, including a late drop-goal. England led 21-10 at halftime and looked in total control of the game for the first 60 minutes before holding off a stern Fijian challenge in the final quarter.
England reach their sixth World Cup semi-final and will go in search of a fifth final appearance when they meet hosts France or South Africa in the last four. They play later on Sunday in Paris.
Follow all the action from Marseille and get all the latest Rugby World Cup odds and tips right here:
PENALTY MISSED! England 24-17 Fiji
66 mins: All of a sudden, England are scrambling as Radradra crashes into Smith after a surging run! The England full-back has taken his fair share of punishment this game.
From there, Fiji win the penalty but it hits the post and England survive for now...
England 24-17 Fiji
Harry Latham-Coyle reporting from the Stade Velodrome:
"Now then! Fiji's bench has begun to make an impact, Simione Kuruvoli offering a bit of extra tempo at scrum half and front rowers Sam Matavesi and Peni Ravai providing carrying punch. A long chat beneath the posts from England, with defence coach Kevin Sinfield delivering a few key messages."
TRY! England 24-17 Fiji (Ravai, 64 mins)
Fiji are right back in it and what a last 15 we have in store now. Free-flowing rugby from the Pacific Islanders who go from left to right and then back again.
May does superbly to deny Fiji in the right corner but it’s Ravai who powers over at the next phase after a poor missed tackle from Itoje.
England 24-10 Fiji
61 mins: Some more pushing and shoving, this time between Botia and Curry, but it’s all going England’s way at the minute. More success at the breakdown gives Marler and Sinckler a chance off the bench at the scrum, and the new props make no mistake and win their side another penalty.
PENALTY MISSED! England 24-10 Fiji
58 mins: Farrell has a go from long-range as Fiji cross over each other in attack but it just comes up short.
Time running out for Fiji now.
England 24-10 Fiji
Harry Latham-Coyle reporting from the Stade Velodrome:
"No flow at all to this second half, with the breakdown increasingly chaotic and neither side settling back into things. Fiji are a side that can score quickly, but if this game continues in such a manner then 14 points already feels like a significant gap to be closed."
PENALTY! England 24-10 Fiji (Farrell, 54 mins)
Fiji are offside at the breakdown as England win another penalty under the posts. Farrell knocks over another three and England extend their lead in this second half.
England 21-10 Fiji
52 mins: Another good passage of play from England as they win the turnover from the lineout. Genge makes a great burst and eventually, Droasese is forced into touch by May after a cute kick down the line.
A great position for England now about 15 metres from the line.
England 21-10 Fiji
51 mins: Some bruising contacts between the two sides as Fiji come flying towards the England 22 with pace. Lawes does, superbly, however, to fall onto the loose ball when it pops out of a ruck and England clear through Mitchell.
England 21-10 Fiji
49 mins: A sweeping move from the lineout finally gives Radradra some space to move into but it’s a superb tackle from that man Earl again on the cover. Fiji have the scrum, though, on the edge of England’s 22.
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