England v Fiji live: Hosts beat impressive Pacific Islanders with second-half surge

Centre Ollie Lawrence, who made his England return today after a long spell out injured, spoke after the game.

“Everything that happened in the Six Nations was tough, coming back was hard but put it into perspective and the journey it had been,” he said.

“You're always going to have obstacles in life, my mindset was to attack it and to make sure I could get back here for the autumn games.

“I’m nowhere near the finished product but I made a promise to myself to make sure I got better each day, so that I could be on this field with the lads today.

“It's a special day for me. Sometimes you can take for granted being in the jersey and it's important to remember it's never yours, you're only borrowing it. I was really grateful to be back here to see the stadium packed and to be back out there with the boys - I can't really put it into words.”

Ben Earl was named man of the match after that victory and has given his thoughts to TNT Sports after the game.

“It was one of the hardest games of rugby I have had to play. They have world-class players across the pitch and credit to our boys for getting the win.

"I think we are trying to grow our game week on week. You can see we will continue to get better.

“Each opposition brings different opportunities. It is called a Test match for a reason and they tested us with their gameplan. We have to give the respect to Fiji, they brought a plan that troubled us in the first half but the bench were fantastic and everyone from one to 23 was great.”

It was scratchy, sloppy and scattergun at times but England roll into an encounter with New Zealand that will define their November with their winning run still intact.

Steve Borthwick and his staff will not necessarily take great heart from an evening against Fiji where more went wrong than right but there can be no greater runway on which to build speed into a collision with the All Blacks than a smooth approach of nine consecutive victories.

Stunned by the Pacific Islanders on Fiji’s last trip to Twickenham, England avoided the ignominy of a repeat defeat that would have dispirited their autumn.

A few of those exiting Allianz Stadium at the end many have still felt a degree of frustration, and perhaps familiarity, England’s bench again to the fore to put a hard-fought contest beyond doubt.

Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s full report from Allianz Stadium:

All over here at Allianz Stadium and, in the end, a comfortable enough victory for England.

Things were a bit nervy for the first 50 minutes or so as the Fijians were incredibly impressive but England’s bench - the ‘Pom squad’ - did their job and dominated the final quarter to pull away.

A healthy final scoreline and nine wins on the spin for England. Job done, with the All Blacks awaiting next week

Final knocking here in southwest London and this one is over. The Fijians look out on their feet - even the impressive Ravouvou, who has been brilliant in the centres, now knocks on.

More joy for England! Arundell continues his impressive impact, rising highest to snatch the ball in the air just outside the 22.

He surges down the left wing and although his offload inside is intercepted, England quickly win it back. Hard yards made by Earl to within a metre of the line and Maro Itoje goes high! Leaping over Fijian defenders who have gone low to stop him to dot down the try.

Grins from the England captain and the scoreboard is a lot healthier now

What a moment for Henry Arundell on his return to international rugby

The attendance is in and it’s 78,678 at Allianz Stadium. That’s a pretty decent effort.

Some return to international rugby for Henry Arundell!

A Fijian cross-field kick pass just evades Maqala and bounces to Marcus Smith on the left touchline in his own half. He hoofs down the line but has no chance of getting there himself.

However, out of nowhere, Arundell comes steaming through, makes up 10 metres on Maqala and Ravouvou, surges past them, kicks the ball further on and dives on it over the line. Pure pace causing havoc.

Spencer replaces Mitchell at scrum half for England, who nearly earn a 50:22 with a glorious kick but the ball was just passed back into their own half, so it’s a Fiji lineout instead.

Now, a return to international rugby after two years away as Henry Arundell comes on for Freeman.