Summary

  • Use audio icon to listen to BBC Radio 5 Live commentary (UK only)

  • England hold off Fiji comeback in Marseille to reach World Cup semi-finals

  • Owen Farrell drop-goal and penalty seal victory in final 10 minutes

  • Fiji scored two quickfire tries to draw level at 24-24 in 69th minute

  • Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant tries helped England lead 21-10 at half-time

  • England avenge defeat at Twickenham in August

  • England will face hosts France or holders South Africa who play at 20:00 BST

  1. Au revoir!published at 18:34 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    That's a wrap on our coverage of England's gutsy win over Fiji.

    But fear not - join us over here at 19:15 BST for the final - and potentially best - quarter final as France take on holders South Africa.

    Magnifique.

  2. 'One of the best days of my career'published at 18:32 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    FT: England 30-24 Fiji

    Ben Earl speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "That is one of the best days of my career, I've not had a feeling like that at the end of the game, just huge relief."

    On his line break in the second half: "When I got smoked from behind that brought me down to earth quickly, I am so pleased for the group and certain individuals. We owe it to them to keep playing another couple of weeks in the England shirt.

    "I want to make the most of playing with Courtney Lawes, Owen Farrell and Dan Cole, these guys are greats of the game never mind just English rugby.

    "We will enjoy the win, I don't think there will be too many drinks flying around tonight there will be some sore bodies.

    "After we played Fiji at Twickenham we got told we wouldn't get out the group, but now we are in the semi-final, one of the the best four teams in the competition. It is anyone's game now."

  3. 'Over the moon'published at 18:29 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    FT: England 30-24 Fiji

    Ben EarlImage source, Getty Images

    England number eight Ben Earl, speaking to ITV: “I’m just over the moon and it’s still not really sunk in. I’m so proud of the boys - the staff, the whole squad.

    "It looked a bit shaky at one point there didn’t it but I think the experience shone through in the end. I was pleased to contribute and I can’t wait for next week now.

    "We thought when we played them last time they upped us physically so defensively we had moments we didn’t like watching back but today we will be a bit happier to watch it back. That’s testament to the work we’ve been doing.”

  4. 'Lets not forget this team was written off'published at 18:28 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    FT: England 30-24 Fiji

    EnglandImage source, Getty Images

    England head coach Steve Borthwick on BBC Radio 5 Live: "What our team did was find a way to get back onto the scoreboard and handled it in a mature smart manner.

    "Fiji are always capable of doing that, we saw that a few weeks ago and the England team has learned a lot. In that game today you saw some really good rugby form both sides, I am particularly pleased with how we closed out the game.

    "What stuck out for me is the incredible support we had, a lot has been written about the support we get. What I see is England support right behind this team and we certainly feel that."

    On Owen Farrell's leadership: "He is an incredible leader and player. He rises to the biggest of occasions and he led the team phenomenally well today, the whole 33 were part of the preparation."

    On standout performers: "I am pleased for all the players. Let's not forget this team was written off, and we will be written off again going to Paris. We will make sure to prepare well and to do our best."

  5. 'We are determined to be successful'published at 18:25 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    FT: England 30-24 Fiji

    Jamie GeorgeImage source, Getty Images

    England coach Steve Borthwick, speaking to ITV: “I thought the players were magnificent, the whole squad worked hard to get that result.

    "After the performance you have to give immense credit to Fiji they’ve had a fantastic World Cup and I’m delighted we found a way to win that game.

    "For the vast majority we were in control there was a spell midway through the second half where they scored back-to-back tries and they’re the only team in the world who can do that - but I was pleased with how the players handled it thereafter.

    "A lot has been written about these players and what I see is a group who can handle and rise to these occasions.

    "We’ve had great week it's been a brilliant part of the world to prepare but Paris is a bit special so we are looking forward to it.

    "We don’t forget there’s a fair number of people who said we won’t make it out of group and a fair number who said we would lose tonight and we're going to be written off again I’m sure. But this team is determined to be successful.”

  6. Postpublished at 18:21 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    France v South Africa (20:00 BST)

    How are things looking up in Paris?

    France fansImage source, Getty Images

    Ah...

  7. Postpublished at 18:18 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    He's won a big can opener.

  8. 'You are never home and dry against Fiji'published at 18:17 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    FT: England 30-24 Fiji

    Owen FarrellImage source, Getty Images

    England captain Owen Farrell speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the game: "I am massively proud, a hard-fought game. Everyone will see they are a tough team to play against and you are never home and dry against Fiji."

    On his drop-goal: "It was 24-24 and in their 22. We needed to come away with points and the forwards put us on the front foot towards the posts, Danny Care was in sync. He called it before me and got it to me and I got it over."

    On the squad selection: "There is always debate, it is a big talking point, all I know this is a 33-man squad and everyone has a massive role to play, that will not change going into next week. The boys who have different roles, who finish the game or even those not involved they have massive roles during the week.

    "We know we have a lot to work on, we have a long way to go to where we want to get to. We will get after that this week, I am looking forward to watching it [France vs South Africa] tonight."

  9. What next?published at 18:15 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    England will play either South Africa or France in Paris next Saturday night. Massive.

    The fourth and final quarter-final is coming up at 20:00 BST this evening and of course, you can follow it right here.

  10. 'Start of something special' for Fijipublished at 18:14 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    FT: England 30-24 Fiji

    Simon RaiwaluiImage source, Getty Images

    Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui, speaking to ITV: “I’m a bit speechless at the moment but I couldn’t be prouder of the boys.

    "They’ve worked so hard since week one. They’ve showed they belong on the world stage. The whole group players and staff. It’s a bit of an emotional moment.

    "This is a different Fiji team and I think it’s the start of something special. We made a couple of mistakes today and we didn’t take our chances.

    "The fans have been brilliant this World Cup there has been unbelievable support and it shows it’s a global game not just the top tier of teams. It just shows the game is in a healthy state."

  11. Postpublished at 18:09 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    Peni RavaiImage source, Getty Images

    Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui is nearly in tears in his post-match interview. "This is just the beginning for this Fiji team," he says. "I couldn't be prouder."

  12. Postpublished at 18:07 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    FT: England 30-24 Fiji

    Fiji's two tries in that second half were absolutely brilliant.

  13. 'Big step forward'published at 18:05 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    FT: England 30-24 Fiji

    Owen FarrellImage source, Getty Images

    England captain Owen Farrell speaking after the game: "It was what we expected. They are a tough, tough team that can turn it on in the blink of an eye. I thought we started the game really well. We really got after it in that first half.

    “We always knew Fiji were going to have some good patches and they did. To find a way to win and get through to the semi-finals is a big step forward but we know we have plenty of work to do.”

    On his drop-goal: “The forwards did a great job and put it on the plate for us. I just had to knock it over.”

  14. Earl shines in Marseillepublished at 18:03 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    FT: England 30-24 Fiji

    Chris Ashton
    Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Ben Earl is everywhere and it is hard to single him out, he had his moments in attack helping create momentum.

    He is so fast he got away from everyone, Earl is implementing his own game on the team.

  15. 'Massive team effort'published at 18:03 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    FT: England 30-24 Fiji

    Ben EarlImage source, Getty Images

    Jonny Wilkinson, speaking to ITV: “All the games have left me on edge. It was a brilliant performance from both teams they both entered into the spirit it was fast and physical.

    "Lawes and Earl were just working so hard to get those penalties. Earl was outstanding .

    "They had to dig in and when the Fijians get their hands free in the backs it’s almost game over.

    "It’s been a massive team effort and now they have to be ready for next one.”

  16. 'England's best game under Borthwick'published at 18:02 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    FT: England 30-24 Fiji

    England's World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward, speaking to ITV: “We won’t be intimidated now by France or South Africa.

    "Fiji were great, they deserved to be in a quarter-final but England were the better team.

    "We can look forward to a semi-final now. That was England’s best game under Borthwick.”

  17. Postpublished at 18:01 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    FT: England 30-24 Fiji

    The England players are celebrating with their friends and family in the corner as Sweet Caroline booms out.

    A bigger, uglier, sterner test awaits next weekend. But they've come thorugh a real mental challenge in that second half.

  18. Postpublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    Ben Earl carried the ball for 99 metres and crossed the gainline on seven occasions, while Tom Curry made 19 tackles. Big performances.

  19. 'Back-row for England was outstanding'published at 17:58 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    FT: England 30-24 Fiji

    Chris Ashton
    Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Ben earl lets out a roar at the endImage source, Getty Images

    England's defence at the end was outstanding, the problem with Fiji is they always think about the offload, so it is a threat at any point. England did enough, the back-row for England was outstanding, Ben Earl, Courtney Lawes and Tom Curry were everywhere.

    The momentum came from them.

  20. Postpublished at 17:58 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    FT: England 30-24 Fiji

    Owen FarrellImage source, Getty Images

    Owen Farrell had a good day. After yet more speculation over his selection he kicked 20 points, including that vital, vital drop goal.