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. STATpublished at 16:59 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    HT: England 21-10 Fiji

    Stat from Opta, external: England have won 31 of the 33 men's Rugby World Cup fixtures in which they've led at half time, losing only to New Zealand (1991) and Wales (2015) after leading at the break in a World Cup match.

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 16:58 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Jon: Enough dynamism for a quarterfinal, mixed in with pragmatism. We saw what when Smith tried to overplay at full-back - he got caught, isolated, turned over. Smart rugby in the next 40; play in their half, failing that with ball in hand. One more try does it!

    Stephen: Unlike Wales yesterday, England are not making the Fiji speed bumps into mountains to climb. Professional performance so far. Scoreboard moving from start of the half to the end. Still think decisions by Earl and Mitchell are worrying.

  3. 'England have been disciplined and focused'published at 16:51 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    HT: England 21-10 Fiji

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    That has been a fast 40 minutes, England have been incredibly disciplined and focused. They played in the right areas with the right tactics.

    If England come out with that mentality in the second-half the good times will come for them as Fiji will not be able to compete at that intensity.

  4. Story of the first-half..published at 16:51 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    Manu Tuilagi scoring a tryImage source, Getty Images
    Joe Marchant dives over the try line to scoreImage source, Getty Images

    Centres Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant helped themselves to tries as England made a bright start, while Fiji went down to 14 men for 10 minutes.

    Viliame Mata dives over the line to scoreImage source, Getty Images

    Viliame Mata scored a wonderful try while a man down but some solid Owen Farrell kicking and a much better effort around the breakdown has England on top for now.

    Courtney Lawes of England is tackled by Viliame Mata and Frank LomaniImage source, Getty Images
  5. Half-timepublished at 16:46 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    England 21-10 Fiji

    Much better from England. They're not home and hosed yet but an 11-point lead to take into the second half.

  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 16:46 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Anon: Can someone please teach Tom Curry how to tackle? The man is turning into a complete liability.

  7. Postpublished at 39 mins

    England 21-10 Fiji

    Ben Earl and Ollie Chessum of England celebrate a turnoverImage source, Getty Images

    No, great work again from Ben Earl to get all over the ball and forcing an error, Fiji come in from the side and England get the penalty.

  8. Postpublished at 38 mins

    England 21-10 Fiji

    Fiji win a scrum from the restart in a good area. Can they get points on the board before the break here?

  9. Penalty - England 21-10 Fijipublished at 16:43 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    Owen Farrell

    Owen Farrell of England kicks a penaltyImage source, Getty Images

    From a trickier angle, Owen Farrell adds three more.

  10. Postpublished at 36 mins

    England 18-10 Fiji

    Fiji sling out a huge looping pass to the left wing to get Semi Radradra with ball in hand but England's line speed is great and they force a turnover and another penalty.

  11. Smith ready to return?published at 35 mins

    England 18-10 Fiji

    England's fly-half Marcus Smith reacts during the gameImage source, Getty Images

    England have looked better all over the field so far and they've needed to be. Marcus Smith looks set to return - and Fiji are back up to 15 men now too.

  12. 'Chipping away at the scoreboard'published at 16:39 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    England 18-10 Fiji

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Knocking on the door, chipping away at the scoreboard. Exactly what England want to do.

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 16:39 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Anon: Curry is playing with fire there. His indiscipline is a nonsense, so reckless.

    Chris: England are very lucky not to have received a yellow card there. No arms tackle is so dangerous. Have to make it count now.

  14. Penalty - England 18-10 Fijipublished at 16:39 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    Owen Farrell

    Faultless from Farrell as he slots over after an offence at the scrum.

  15. Postpublished at 33 mins

    England 15-10 Fiji

    England looked a bit rocked by those hits but respond well, bringing an infringement from the lineout and turning the ball over. It's well matched out there at the moment!

  16. Postpublished at 32 mins

    England 15-10 Fiji

    Courtney Lawes of England is tackled by Viliame Mata and Frank LomaniImage source, Getty Images

    Whallop! Maro Itoje folded like a deckchair, before Courtney Lawes is driven clean out of play. Two massive tackles in the space of a few moments from Fiji.

  17. Habosi will returnpublished at 30 mins

    England 15-10 Fiji

    More good news for Fiji as wing Vinaya Habosi is told that he will not have his yellow card upgraded to red and he'll be back on momentarily.

  18. 'England could not stop it'published at 16:34 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    England 15-10 Fiji

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Fiji's outside centre and captain Waisea Nayacalevu  and teammates celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    The first time Fiji have broken the line. A rash of orange and black Fiji shirts with the opportunity they wanted. England just could not stop it.

  19. try

    Converted try - England 15-10 Fijipublished at 16:32 British Summer Time 15 October 2023

    Viliame Mata (con Lomani)

    Viliame Mata dives over to scoreImage source, Getty Images

    Brilliant try! With 14 men, Fiji score and it's well deserved too. The ball shoots out along the ground, number eight Viliame Mata scoops it up easily and charges over the line to the delight of their supporters.

    Frank Lomani kicks the conversion.

  20. Postpublished at 28 mins

    England 15-3 Fiji

    Fiji are keeping the ball well though during this period of being a man down. A lovely hand-off sends Josua Tuisova through a gap...