England vs Fiji LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 result and reaction after thrilling finish to quarter-final

45 mins: The drive is good but excellently held up by Fiji who also win the penalty. Superb defence and vital to not concede that first score early in the half.

44 mins: A brief check for a high tackle by Farrell on Radradra but nothing doing. The England fly-half pokes a cute kick into the right corner but it’s superbly defended by Radradra.

England come again and now they have a penalty! They turn down the three points and head to the corner.

Fiji get us started again after the break. The Pacific Islanders need an inspired second-half performance to get themselves back in this one.

England with the lead at the break:

Harry Latham-Coyle half-time verdict from the Stade Velodrome:

"An eleven-point lead feels about fair for England, who showed superior accuracy in attack during that first half. It's been a properly physical contest, as expected, with Steve Borthwick's side giving as good as they've got against Fiji's phalanx of power carriers. Ellis Genge and Ollie Chessum have really set the tone, while Owen Farrell has probably answered a few critics, too, illustrating things in attack. If England add a third try soon after the interval, you wonder if the Pacific Islanders might fade - but if Fiji score next, it will very much be game on."

Let’s have a look at the tries during the break.

England got ahead early after Tuilagi’s well-taken finish in the corner:

And Steve Borthwick’s side would add to that when Marchant went over after a well-worked move:

Some magic with the offloads got Fiji back into it, however, as Mata stormed under the posts:

England come out on top yet again at the breakdown as Earl wins the battle of the shoulders at the ruck after Tuilagi’s scything tackle.

A monster kick from Farrell gets England onto the edge of the 22 and they have a late chance at another score. Daly tries a cute chip down the left wing but it’s well defended by Fiji who clear it out.

That’s the half-time whistle, too, and it’s been a blistering pace in Marseille. England will be happy with their work and, after scores from Tuilagi and Marchant, they have a nice lead heading into the break.

More great work from England at the breakdown as they win yet another penalty at the breakdown!

Curry and Earl high-five in celebration and there are more cheers from the England fans in the stadium as Farrell knocks over another penalty to move his side into the twenties.

Farrell makes no mistake and England re-establish a two-score lead as we approach the break.

Habosi returns after his ten-minute sin-bin elapses.

Some more good news for Fiji as Habosi’s yellow card stays at just that. No red for the Fijian winger after the head clash was reviewed.

A real back-and-forth game here. Some thunderous tackles from Fiji on Itoje and Lawes as the latter is emphatically ushered into attack.

But England respond superbly, winning a scrum from the lineout and then a penalty. A chance to edge further ahead now...