England vs Fiji LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 - score, radio commentary & text updates from quarter-final

Summary

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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

Live Reporting

Tom Rostance

Postpublished at 15:59 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
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Impeccably observed silence, followed up by two rousing anthems. If that doesn't get the hairs on the back of your neck on end nothing will.
The Velodrome looks an immaculate venue. It's high on my to-go-to list.
A moment of silencepublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
World Rugby and the France 2023 Organising Committee confirmed, external that a moment’s silence will be observed ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-finals this weekend as a mark of solidarity with all those affected by the tragic events in Israel, Gaza and Arras in France.
Postpublished at 15:54 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
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Here come the players, the Fiji kit is immense. The pressure is even bigger.
All set?
Postpublished at 15:53 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
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Sir Clive says on ITV that England will win by 12 points with Owen Farrell as MOTM.
Bold.
Postpublished at 15:52 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
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England's number 10 and record scorer being shoe-horned into midfield on the south of France. Anyone getting Iceland vibes..?
Postpublished at 15:51 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Stade Velodrome
Boos for Owen Farrell's name being read out. Then, when we get to George Ford's name - the biggest cheer of them all.
'Fijian boys are massive'published at 15:50 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
Chris Ashton
Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live
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Look at the size of Fiji next to England, some of the Fijian boys are massive.
When you get into the changing room it is one of the few moments you have for personal time. You do have moments in your group to try to cover anything off. The lads Jonny May and Elliot Daly will have a job today helping Marcus Smith.
How they line uppublished at 15:49 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
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England: Smith; May, Marchant, Tuilagi, Daly; Farrell (capt), Mitchell; Genge, George, Cole, Itoje, Chessum, Lawes, Curry, Earl.
Replacements: Dan, Marler, Sinckler, Martin, Vunipola, Care, Ford, Lawrence.
Fiji: Droasese; Habosi, Nayacalevu (capt), Tuisova, Radradra; Botitu, Lomani; Mawi, Ikanivere, Tagi, Nasilasila, Tuisue, Tagitagivalu, Botia, Mata.
Replacements: Matavesi, Ravai, Doge, Derenalagi, Miramira, Kuruvoli, Masi, Maqala.
Farrell name booedpublished at 15:49 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Stade Velodrome
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It sounds like a home crowd for England here.
They're announcing the teams and the names of the England players are getting the loudest cheers by far.
Except for Owen Farrell, whose name was received with a round of boos.
Which England shows up?published at 15:48 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
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Intractable against Argentina. Unkempt against Japan.
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Beaming against Chile. Fortuitous against Samoa.
What will England need to be against Fiji?
'England will try a tactical game to exploit us'published at 15:46 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui on ITV before the game: "We have gone into this week to enjoy the occasion and try and free the boys up a little bit.
"England have improved since the warm-up game, they are a good tournament team with good basics and they will try a tactical game to try and exploit us.
"We have picked the team on form, the strength of the group is with 33 players ready to go and the 23 will do the job today."
Positive vibespublished at 15:44 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
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England have won five of their eight previous Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, with their only losses coming against Wales in 1987, South Africa in 1999 and France in 2011.
May, Ouipublished at 15:43 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
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Jonny May scored a double in England’s RWC 2019 quarter-final win against Australia – only Rory Underwood and Will Carling have scored more Rugby World Cup knock-out tries for England with three each.
May starts on the right flank today.
T-R-Y time?published at 15:41 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
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Image caption,
Marseille, pre-roof
England have a 100% record at the Stade de Velodrome in the World Cup but have never scored a World Cup try at this venue, with every point coming off the boot via 10 penalty goals and three drop goals.
Postpublished at 15:38 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
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Max refers to England's men making a hash of their Cricket World Cup run chase against Afghanistan which you can follow here...
get involved
Get Involvedpublished at 15:37 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
This could be a rough day for England and World Cups.
Max
Put on a clinicpublished at 15:36 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
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England will have to improve their efficiency in the opposition 22 after converting just two of their 17 entries against Samoa into tries.
They conceded 10 turnovers in this zone, and won five penalties, only earning 1.06 points per visit. The further you go in the tournament, the more clinical you need to be.
Postpublished at 15:33 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
Five games into a World Cup, four years+ into a World Cup cycle and England are still tinkering with systems and playmakers. Is it the result of a fractured build-up, a change of coach, ineptitude, or just bad luck?
'He is a master and a student of the game'published at 15:31 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
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England wing Jonny May will have an unfamiliar face alongside him today as Marcus Smith slots in at 15. Not that May has any concerns about the mercurial man.
"He is a smart guy," May says. "He knows his positional play and he is a fly-half. He is a master and a student of the game.
"He is clued up on where he needs to be and what he needs to be doing. For him it's just about bringing his game which we know he is going to do."
get involved
Get Involvedpublished at 15:30 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
#bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
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All eyes on Farrell today. England’s best performance and win this year came against Argentina when Farrell was out and Ford was a masterclass at 10. Why is Ford on the bench? Lose today and the talk will be completely about Borthwick’s selection.
Josh