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:
England 15-10 Fiji
Harry Latham-Coyle reporting from the Stade Velodrome:
"An excellent half-hour in a lot of ways for England, who have shown some wonderful variation in attack. But there have just been a few silly penalties, and they switched of badly there after the ball tumbled loose."
England 15-10 Fiji (Mata, 28 mins)
Well, perhaps I spoke too soon! What a response from Fiji as Mata bursts through to score under the posts. England are struggling to deal with Fiji’s offloads at the minute and they are caught out again here.
PENALTY MISSED! England 15-3 Fiji
26 mins: It’s not going Fiji’s way at all in these early stages.
Two tries conceded, a man in the sin-bin and now Lomani fires wide with a penalty kick at goal from a fairly central location.
England 15-3 Fiji
25 mins: The yellow card is under review at the minute so that could be upgraded to a red.
Smith had a really bright start at full-back so it would be a real shame to see him unable to continue.
TRY! England 15-3 Fiji (Marchant, 23 mins)
England have another try!
Phase play and expansive rugby - where has this England side been? England batter the Fijian try line and get their just rewards as Marchant cuts back inside and finds the score.
Farrell adds the extra two and there’s more trouble for Fiji as Habosi heads to the sin bin after a head-on-head collision with Smith.
The England full-back is bloodied after that collision and heads off for some treatment.
PENALTY! England 8-3 Fiji (Lomani, 20 mins)
Itoje makes a huge burst up the pitch but his marauding run is pulled back after a no-hands tackle from Curry in the build-up.
No card but it’s a penalty right in front of the posts and Lomani makes no mistake this time.
Fiji on the board.
PENALTY MISSED! England 8-0 Fiji
19 mins: England are offside at the breakdown and it’s a chance for Fiji to get something back early. Lomani with the kick but it ricochets off both posts and doesn’t go over.
England maintain their eight-point lead.
TRY! England 8-0 Fiji (Tuilagi, 14 mins)
Tuilagi at his brutish best. From the breakdown, Tuilagi sweeps around the blind side and bears down the line. It’s a good initial tackle from Fiji but the England centre’s momentum continues to propel him towards the line and his outstretched arm just touches down beyond the line.
England have the first try and a nice early lead. Farrell can’t move his side into double digits as his conversion effort comes back off the post.
PENALTY! England 3-0 Fiji (Farrell, 11 mins)
11 mins: First blood to England as Tuilagi and Genge try their luck from the lineout. Nothing doing but they do win a penalty which Farrell knocks over with ease.
England 0-0 Fiji
Harry Latham-Coyle reporting from the Stade Velodrome:
“That's an outstanding defensive set from England. Ollie Chessum twice levelled a Fijian carrier, with Ellis Genge prominent, too, before Courtney Lawes jackalled strongly. Even start in Marseille."
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