Summary

  • England have lost five of past six games under Steve Borthwick, including three defeats in four during World Cup warm-up series

  • Waisea Nayacalevu, Vinaya Habosi and Simione Kuruvoli crossed in second half to give Fiji their first ever win over England

  • Marcus Smith and Joe Marchant reduced England's deficit after coming on as second-half replacements

  • Jonny May, bidding to be added to England's World Cup squad, scored early try at Twickenham

  1. Thanks all!published at 17:56 British Summer Time 26 August 2023

    FT: England 22-30 Fiji

    Keep an eye out for more reaction to England's loss on the BBC Sport website in the coming hours.

    We're closing this live text commentary now but you can follow coverage of Scotland's match against Georgia here.

  2. Postpublished at 17:54 British Summer Time 26 August 2023

    FT: England 22-30 Fiji

    Marcus Smith in action for EnglandImage source, Reuters

    More from England coach Steve Borthwick on the impact of Marcus Smith: "I thought Marcus came on and played very well and gave us that bit more on the edges.

    "He is a real threat and we saw that same threat last week as well."

  3. 'It is clear what we have to get right'published at 17:50 British Summer Time 26 August 2023

    FT: England 22-30 Fiji

    England head coach Steve Borthwick, speaking to Amazon Prime: "I am sure every England supporter is disappointed with that today, It is important to congratulate Fiji. I thought they played exceptionally well and took their opportunities.

    "When they scored they scored very easily, we slipped off too many tackles and whilst that has not been the case in previous games, it was today and it is an area we clearly need to get right in two weeks' time.

    "In terms of those conditions today I thought there was a period in that second quarter where Fiji handled those moments better than we did, having started the game very well.

    "It is clear what we have to get right in two weeks' time against Argentina as we know that is going to be a huge game and one we are going to be focused on right from this minute."

  4. What is next for England?published at 17:46 British Summer Time 26 August 2023

    FT: England 22-30 Fiji

    For England - after the inevitable questions about results, style and everything else that will come in the next few days - next up is Argentina on 9 September in Marseille in their opening game of the World Cup.

    That comes before games against Japan, Chile and Samoa, who may feel a bit more confident now that they might be able to cause an upset.

  5. Postpublished at 17:41 British Summer Time 26 August 2023

    FT: England 22-30 Fiji

    Steve Borthwick looks on during England's warm-upImage source, PA Media

    England coach Steve Borthwick is currently being interviewed by Amazon Prime after his side's defeat by Fiji at Twickenham.

    He says the dressing room shares the disappointment of England supporters - full quotes to follow.

  6. 'Huge pride in the team'published at 17:38 British Summer Time 26 August 2023

    FT: England 22-30 Fiji

    Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui, speaking to Amazon Prime: "The result is good, huge pride in the team and the way they have prepared.

    "We knew the areas teams would come against us. We've done three or four sessions per day at times, we've taken them to the limit and they've come through.

    "There's a very good team spirit at the moment and a good feeling within the group."

  7. 'The players need to take ownership'published at 17:33 British Summer Time 26 August 2023

    FT: England 22-30 Fiji

    Dylan Hartley
    Former England captain on Amazon Prime

    There is this narrative that this coaching set-up write the song and the team sing it.

    This is the most experienced England squad you have ever seen on paper - it is a collaborative process.

    If George Ford, Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell are there nodding along, it is their fault. The players need to take ownership, so they are not playing a game plan they don't believe in.

  8. Read the reportpublished at 17:31 British Summer Time 26 August 2023

    Here's the developing match report of England's loss to Fiji...

    England lose to Fiji for first time in final warm-up

    England slump to a fifth defeat in six matches as their World Cup preparations end with a first ever defeat by Fiji at Twickenham.

    Read More
  9. Postpublished at 17:27 British Summer Time 26 August 2023

    FT: England 22-30 Fiji

    A concerning stat for England fans is that Steve Borthwick's side have scored five tries and conceded 11 in their past four games.

    No attack or defence it seems...

  10. 'It is just not good enough'published at 17:23 British Summer Time 26 August 2023

    FT: England 22-30 Fiji

    Courtney Lawes disappointed after England's defeatImage source, Reuters

    England captain Courtney Lawes, speaking to Amazon Prime: "It is just not good enough, we are where we are at the minute and all we can do is push on.

    "We need to get our attack together, we are just turning over too many penalties and today we didn't attack well enough.

    "One on one they made us look silly at times but we need to improve and we have got two weeks to do so.

    "We will go back and have a look at it, and look to get better.

    "I am really pleased to get my little ones on the pitch and soak in the atmosphere, regardless I am still happy to achieve 100 caps."

  11. Postpublished at 17:17 British Summer Time 26 August 2023

    FT: England 22-30 Fiji

    Dylan Hartley
    Former England captain on Amazon Prime

    Look out Wales - Fiji are a proper side.

    For years we've known about their attacking threat and physical prowess, but now there's a structure to how they play. It's controlled and measured and they did it at the right times today.

    Full credit, they were the better side today.

  12. 'This win is for all the people back home'published at 17:14 British Summer Time 26 August 2023

    FT: England 22-30 Fiji

    Man of the match Selestino Ravutaumada, speaking to Amazon Prime: "I am so proud of the boys, this win is for all the people back home in Fiji."

    On reaching a World Cup semi-final: "No comment on that one, we will see on the first match against Wales."

  13. Postpublished at 17:12 British Summer Time 26 August 2023

    Reaction on the way from both sides...

    England have lost three of their four matches in preparation for the World Cup, with a solitary win over Wales to show for their efforts.

    Their opening pool game is two weeks away in Marseille against Argentina.

  14. Full-time - England 22-30 Fijipublished at 17:05 British Summer Time 26 August 2023

    Fiji celebrate victoryImage source, Reuters

    Fiji have done it!

    One of the greatest days in Fijian rugby, such a mature performance.

    A World Cup quarter-final on the horizon?

    As for England - where do they go from here?!

  15. Postpublished at 17:05 British Summer Time 26 August 2023

    England 22-30 Fiji

    Dylan Hartley
    Former England captain on Amazon Prime

    I don't see a lack of trying. They're carrying hard and tackling hard.

    There's not a collective understanding of what they're trying to achieve. There are glimpses of brilliance but there's not 80 minutes of it. If you're slightly of the boil you're going to be punished. It's hard to watch as a fan and as a friend of many of these guys.

  16. Postpublished at 79 mins

    England 22-30 Fiji

    It is a scrum to England with one minute left, man of the match goes to Selestino Ravutaumada.

  17. Postpublished at 78 mins

    England 22-30 Fiji

    Fiji hold possession with two minutes remaining - remember, Fiji have never beaten England.

  18. Postpublished at 77 mins

    England 22-30 Fiji

    Massive turnover from Sam Matavesi, England running out of time...

  19. try

    Converted try - England 22-30 Fijipublished at 73 mins

    Simione Kuruvoli (con Caleb Muntz)

    Fiji celebrate a tryImage source, Getty Images

    WOW!

    It is that man again Selestino Ravutaumada, he skips past a couple of defenders before offloading to replacement Simione Kuruvoli.

    He looks like a special player - Caleb Muntz adds the extras.

    This could be the lowest moment of a very disappointing World Cup warm-up series for England.

  20. Postpublished at 71 mins

    England 22-23 Fiji

    Danny Care drops the restart, giving vital territory to Fiji.