George Ford lofts the ball into the London sky and we are under way.

Dylan Hartley
Former England captain on Amazon Prime

He's a dear friend, an absolute gent, a great human and a great rugby player. It's lovely to see him out there with his kids and I'm immensely proud of him.

It's testament to his character to get those 100 caps. The way he's evolved as well, he was known for his tackling and ball-carrying and now he's known for his leadership as well.

Image source, Getty Images

According to reports in the Daily Mail, external earlier this week, Twickenham could be half-full today with the top tier closed.

Judging by current scenes, that appears to be accurate.

After South Africa and New Zealand sold-out Twickenham last night, did people pick the more exciting game?

Here comes the anthems, expect an emotional Courtney Lawes, before he goes and smashes folk.

Out strides Courtney Lawes with his children on his 100th cap.

Special moment, special player!

This will not be the first game at Twickenham this weekend.

On Friday, New Zealand lock Scott Barrett was sent off as South Africa inflicted the heaviest defeat in the All Blacks' history.

Barrett received two yellow cards, with the second for a reckless clearout to the head of hooker Malcolm Marx being referred to the TMO 'bunker'.

South Africa went ahead through Siya Kolisi and Kurt-Lee Arendse scores, before second-half tries from Marx, Bongi Mbonambi and Kwagga Smith.

The All Blacks' previous record loss was by 21 points in 1999 and 2019.

Read more here.

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England wing Max Malins will come up against his Bristol Bears team-mate Semi Radradra today after he re-joined the club this summer.

Malins - who played with Radradra while on loan at Bristol during the 2020-21 season - says would have preferred to have the Fijian flyer on his own side.

"I haven’t contacted him yet, I don’t want to wind him up," Malins told BBC Sport.

"I probably would prefer to be on his side than against him, he is a special player and I am looking forward to the challenge."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Reuters

Saturday's defeat by Ireland was England's fourth in their past five games, but defence coach Kevin Sinfield says the squad remains united despite the setbacks.

"We were a tight group already, but how you handle those setbacks and those obstacles are really important to how the team moves forward and how the team functions," he said.

"After each one of those blows - if you call them that - we've got back up and gone again. We'll continue to do that. These obstacles will continue to bring us closer together.

"In another group, in one that wasn't as experienced or as hungry to do well, it might have been really, really challenging for us.

"When things start to pull apart there are fractures - groups start to break off and spend time together, sitting together and having separate meetings. There is none of that."

So can Fiji shock England today?

In terms of the form book, there is a genuine shout that the Fijians could cause an upset.

Or will things finally click for Steve Borthwick’s men on the eve of the World Cup?

This is Fiji's last game before facing Wales in their World Cup opener on 10 September.

They are being tipped as one of the giant-killers in a pool which also includes an underperforming Australia and European sides Georgia and Portugal.

But lock Isoa Nasilasila says Fiji are trying to remain grounded.

"There's a lot of hype around us but we're trying to control that individually and as a team," Nasilasila said.

"We want to stay humble and do our job on and off the field. Hopefully it will then all come together on the day.

"Our game has definitely evolved. We're trying to get the technicalities of rugby in there.

"We want to create something rather than just going straight to the backs, offload, offload. We want to build something first and play from there."

The most recent outing between both sides was in 2016, with England recording their biggest margin of victory against Fiji, winning 58-15.

Elliot Daly is the only try scorer from that day who remains in the England squad.

England have never lost against Fiji but today is likely to be much closer than seven years ago.

Image source, Getty Images

Courtney Lawes says he questioned whether his body could reach the magic 100 caps.

The flanker reached 96 caps in 2022 but multiple injuries last season prevented him from hitting a century - until now.

“Three or four injuries in the one season, when you are getting on a bit, [make] you wonder if your body has had it," Lawes told BBC Sport.

"I knew I was going to find out if my body could get there. That is what I put my mind to and fortunately I got a good pre-season under my belt which is often where I find myself the most durable."

Watch the video below for England coach Steve Borthwick's view on "one of the greats" of English rugby union.

Today Courtney Lawes becomes the fifth England male player to reach 100 caps.

He joins an impressive group:

• Ben Youngs - 124 caps
• Jason Leonard - 114 caps
• Owen Farrell - 107 caps
• Dan Cole - 101 caps

The list includes four current players - can’t buy experience, don’t they say?

Image source, The RFU via Getty Images

Image source, The RFU via Getty Images

Just a quick recap of another busy week off the field for England:

• Tuesday - captain Owen Farrell is banned for the first two World Cup pool games.
• Wednesday - Billy Vunipola is suspended for the opening game of the World Cup against Argentina.
• Thursday - Anthony Watson is ruled out of the tournament because of injury.

You have to feel for Steve Borthwick as nothing is going right, it seems. Maybe today is the turning point...

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Fiji make seven changes from the starting line-up that lost 34-17 to World Cup hosts France in Nantes last weekend.

Captain Waisea Nayacalevu and Bristol Bears’ Semi Radradra start in the midfield together for the first time.

Nayacalevu will take over the captaincy from Radradra - who led the side in their defeat by France.

Explosive Edinburgh number eight Viliame Mata also starts.

Fiji: Droasese; Ravutaumada, Nayacalevu (c), Radradra, Habosi; Muntz, Lomani; Mawi, Matavesi, Tagi, Nasilasila, Cirikidaveta, Tuisue, Tagitagivalu, Mata.

Replacements: Togiatama, Koroiduadua, Tawake, Mayanavanua, Miramira, Kuruvoli, Tela, Ravouvou.

Image source, Getty Images

Courtney Lawes will captain England on his 100th cap, while hooker Theo Dan makes his first start.

Lawes, 34, lines up in the back row alongside Jack Willis and Ben Earl, who starts at number eight in the absence of the banned Billy Vunipola.

With Owen Farrell also suspended, George Ford starts at fly-half.

Jonny May starts on the wing despite not being in the World Cup squad, with Anthony Watson now ruled out of the World Cup.

Northampton's Alex Mitchell will make his first appearance of the summer after being called up to the squad following the withdrawal of Jack van Poortvliet, who will miss the World Cup after injuring an ankle.

England: Steward; Malins, Lawrence, Tuilagi, May; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, Dan, Cole, Itoje, Chessum, Lawes (c), Willis, Earl.

Replacements: Walker, Marler, Stuart, Ribbans, Ludlam, Care, Smith, Marchant.

It is England’s final game before they board the Eurostar to France for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Well, or fly...

Last weekend England suffered a 29-10 defeat by Ireland, with Fiji losing 34-17 to France.

Both sides need to bounce back, and surely there is no better place to do it than Twickenham for Steve Borthwick’s side.

Image source, The RFU via Getty Images