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

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

Live Reporting

Tom Rostance

Enter: Demolition Manpublished at 15:27 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
Becky Grey
BBC Sport in Marseille
Image source, Getty Images
Known as the 'Demolition Man', Levani Botia's journey to becoming one of his team's star players has not always been straightforward.
He was working as a prison officer and went from playing on the wardens' team to becoming part of Fiji's sevens squad.
The now 34-year-old made the switch to 15-a-side at the end of 2013.
Botia played down his talents, saying: "What I do in the field, people say it's hard, but nothing's hard. Anyone can do that.
"If you play rugby you can do it, it's not difficult."
'We owe them one'published at 15:26 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
Image source, Getty Images
England's hooker Jamie George on the Rugby Union Daily podcast: "All the hard work has come to times like this.
"That Fiji game [World Cup warm-up game] was shocking to say the least. It would be wrong of us to try and dismiss it, but we are a better team now.
"There were some clear things we had to take away from that. Kevin Sinfield showed us a few clips, which hurt when you watch us defend like that and let Fiji run riot at Twickenham - we owe them one."
get involved
Get Involvedpublished at 15:25 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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Anon: England are going to go for drop goals, but we are hoping Fiji wins!
Anon: Let’s go England, I'm just leaving work in Riyadh to get back for the game. Big game for Farrell.
'Big players love these challenges'published at 15:24 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
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England head coach Steve Borthwick on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's brilliant to be in knockout rugby, the team has been building through the tournament and the players are really going to rise to it.
"These are big players who perform in the big games and we have seen that again in this tournament. We need to learn and develop as a team.
"Everyday is an experience of bringing any learning that we can capture onto the grass, I sense this week those big players love these challenges."
Postpublished at 15:23 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
Needlework of the highest order.
Wear the rosepublished at 15:22 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Stade Velodrome
Image source, BBC Sport
Outfit of the day surely goes to these two.
This is Trevor and Jean Broome from Plymouth. Jean made the outfits - a suit for Trevor (the first time she's attempted a jacket - a huge success in my opinion) and a dress for herself.
I joined the growing queue to get a photo of them. You're welcome.
'Fiji going to be stronger than last week'published at 15:21 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
Chris Ashton
Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty Images
Fiji are going to be stronger than what they showed last week, that is for sure. They left some boys out last week to keep them freshened up. They will be a stiffer opposition than what some people are letting on. But I think England have to come through.
England fans flood Marseillepublished at 15:18 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Stade Velodrome
Yesterday was all flag-waving and chants outside the Stade Velodrome with the Argentina fans about.
Today has been a much calmer affair so far. A quick scout around earlier suggests Fiji fans are heavily outnumbered by English ones today.
Fiji have got France behind them, though. I was walking behind a Fijian pair earlier who were getting plenty of encouragement from the locals.
Image source, BBC Sport
Finding that extra motivationpublished at 15:17 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
Image source, Getty Images
The 'Flying Fijians' changing room is set and ready for the arrival of the Southern Pacific team.
Each playing shirt is accompanied by a collated image of friends and family above their shirt - a simple, but nice touch.
Fans help kickers warm uppublished at 15:16 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Stade Velodrome
Image source, Getty Images
The fans on the lower tiers are pretty close to the pitch in the Stade Velodrome.
Owen Farrell and George Ford are practising goal-kicks and pretty much every one is ending up in the crowd. Cheers ensue for anyone who manages to catch it, then they throw it back to the England coaches for another go.
Postpublished at 15:15 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
Put your names on those texts please - but yes, you're probably right.
get involved
Get Involvedpublished at 15:15 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
#bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Where will it be won and lost: Breakdown. Breakdown. Breakdown.
Anon
'Samoa performance leaves doubts'published at 15:13 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
Sam Harris
BBC Newsbeat sports reporter
“I’m actually in Corfu when the game is on for a holiday with my boyfriend so I’ll be dragging him into a bar or restaurant to make sure I don’t miss it.”
What a location for England fan Elizabeth Cartwright to be watching the quarter-final from.
The big team news ahead of kick-off was captain Owen Farrell starting at 10 over George Ford, who impressed in the group stages.
“Ford really lifted the team so it is unfortunate he’s been left out,” Elizabeth tells BBC Newsbeat.
“He was the spark, man of the match performances and a real leader.”
Elizabeth is fairly confident of an England win but thinks there will only be 10 points in it.
“The mood has really changed around England, especially from before the tournament,” she says.
“But last week’s poor performance against Samoa has put some doubt in my mind, I reckon this is quite a close game.”
Image source, BBC Sport
Postpublished at 15:11 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
It's still remarkably sunny for the time of the year where I am in England - but it's no Côte Bleue, I'll have to concede...
Pre-match dippublished at 15:11 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
Becky Grey
BBC Sport at Stade Velodrome
Image source, BBC Sport
It's a lot chillier in Marseille today than it has been all week.
The temperature has dropped to 20C and the wind has picked up.
Of course, that's still a lot nicer than England in mid-October so a few fans made the most of the later kick-off and nipped down to the beach this morning.
Postpublished at 15:10 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
Lennon and McCartney could play together, Farrell & Ford not so much...
Image source, Getty Images
'I would have played Ford'published at 15:09 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on Rugby Union Daily
Image source, Getty Images
I am pleased England have gone for George Ford or Owen Farrell - and not the two together.
I love the fact they have brought Marcus Smith in, Fiji probably will not challenge in the backfield with the kicking game. My own view would to play Ford to link the backline.
Farrell has had a fantastic season at Saracens, but he has not been performing like that for England.
I think Ford is owning the way England play at the moment.
get involved
Get Involvedpublished at 15:08 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
#bbcrugby, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate)
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Where will this game be won - and lost? Who are the key men? What % of an improvement do you need to see from this England team?
Fire away...
'A World Cup semi-final is a World Cup semi-final'published at 15:04 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
Becky Grey
BBC Sport in Marseille
Image source, Getty Images
England have a golden opportunity to steady an increasingly shaky ship.
There are some who would say reaching a World Cup semi-final on the kinder side of one of the most unbalanced draws in the tournament's history would be papering over the cracks.
Others would say a World Cup semi-final is a World Cup semi-final.
How they line uppublished at 15:03 British Summer Time 15 October 2023
England v Fiji (16:00 BST)
Image source, Getty Images
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.