Summary

  1. Lawrence brings his 'destructive power'published at 17:31 GMT 8 November 2025

    England v Fiji (17:40 GMT)

    Closing in on kick-off now - the teams are heading out onto the field.

    It's a big day for Ollie Lawrence, who makes his first appearance of the autumn having completed his recovery from the ruptured Achilles that ruled him out of the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

    "He's still getting back to his absolute best," coach Lee Blackett told BBC Sport.

    "When the injury happened we didn't think he'd play in the autumn so stepping on the field will be special for him. It shows how hard he's worked to get back.

    "He'll bring his power, he's another guy that's destructive player and can beat people and we're looking forward to seeing that."

    Ollie LawrenceImage source, Getty Images
  2. Postpublished at 17:29 GMT 8 November 2025

    England v Fiji (17:40 GMT)

    Alastair Telfer
    BBC Sport at Allianz Stadium

    The tunes and lights are pumping!

    Light show
    Light show
  3. Fiji's 'exciting combination' at centrepublished at 17:28 GMT 8 November 2025

    England v Fiji (17:40 GMT)

    Bristol's Kalaveti Ravouvou and Racing 92's Josua Tuisova, nicknamed the "Human Bulldozer", will provide a huge ball-carrying threat from the centres.

    "It's an exciting combination," said Fiji head coach Mick Byrne. "Kalaveti's grown enormously since I first had him and his professionalism has grown.

    "It's a credit to (director of rugby) Pat Lam and Bristol for the growth they've been able to get with Kalaveti.

    "His game awareness is very strong, so having him in the middle with Josua gives us a nice, physical combination.

    "They're both quality players and they run strong and hard at the line."

    Kalaveti Ravouvou scores for Bristol against BathImage source, Getty Images
  4. 'They're lovely people but nasty to play against'published at 17:25 GMT 8 November 2025

    England v Fiji (17:40 GMT)

    England captain Ellis Genge has warned his team not to be taken in by the Fijian players' friendly nature off the pitch.

    "I said to our forwards on Thursday that typically at the club Fijians are the ones who are always laughing and joking," said the Bristol Bears prop.

    "Every Fijian I have ever played... they're brilliant people. They're very laid-back and very casual about things.

    "But don't be fooled. Bill (Viliame) Mata is a nasty piece of work when he's on the pitch. I play with him, I love watching him melt people for Bristol and I am sure he's going to try to do the same to me this weekend.

    "I just made it clear to the boys that, although these people grow up on beaches throwing a rugby ball about and they're lovely people, they are very nasty to play against.

    "Obviously I did not want any of the boys to be shocked by that and the physical battle of attrition that is going to come."

    Fiji's number eight Viliame Mata runs to score his team's first try against England during the 2023 World Cup quarter-finalImage source, Getty Images
  5. Revenge at the Rugby World Cuppublished at 17:23 GMT 8 November 2025

    England v Fiji (17:40 GMT)

    I've mentioned Fiji's win at Twickenham in 2023 already, and while England have won the other eight matches these two sides have played, in recent times the gap between them appears to have narrowed.

    Their most recent meeting was in the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, when Owen Farrell kicked 20 of England's points in a 30-24 victory in Marseille.

    England were leading comfortably midway through the second half but Fiji fought back to level the match, before Farrell kicked a drop-goal and a penalty to send Steve Borthwick's side into the last four.

    England (21) 30

    Tries: Tuilagi, Marchant Pens: Farrell 5 Con: Farrell Drop-goal: Farrell

    Fiji (10) 24

    Tries: Mata, Ravai, Botitu Pen: Lomani Cons: Lomani, Kuruvoli 2

  6. Listen livepublished at 17:21 GMT 8 November 2025

    England v Fiji (17:40 GMT)

    BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Coverage from Allianz Stadium is now live on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, with BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones joined by former England internationals Matt Dawson and Paul Grayson.

    You can also listen online by clicking on the play button at the top of this page.

  7. Postpublished at 17:19 GMT 8 November 2025

    England v Fiji (17:40 GMT)

    The match programme looks like an interesting read this weekend.

    Several of England's players had a look in their dressing room before heading out for their warm-up.

    Fin SmithImage source, Getty Images
    Freeman reads the programmeImage source, Getty Images
  8. Postpublished at 17:18 GMT 8 November 2025

    England v Fiji (17:40 GMT)

    Just past 17:00 GMT and look how black that sky is in south-west London on Alastair's picture.

    The nights have really closed in now the clocks have gone back.

    But these are perfect conditions for good rugby.

  9. Light show incomingpublished at 17:15 GMT 8 November 2025

    England v Fiji (17:40 GMT)

    Alastair Telfer
    BBC Sport at Allianz Stadium

    Still plenty of time before kick-off as supporters make their way into the stadium after watching Scotland's defeat by New Zealand.

    We've been told a light show is incoming.

    Allianz Stadium view
  10. Who are today's match officials?published at 17:13 GMT 8 November 2025

    England v Fiji (17:40 GMT)

    Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)

    Assistant referees: Luc Ramos (France), Katsuki Furuse (Japan)

    Television Match Official (TMO): Mike Adamson (Scotland)

    Foul Play Review Officer (FPRO): Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 17:10 GMT 8 November 2025

    #bbcrugby on X, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Plenty of changes to England's starting XV - which players and combinations are you excited about seeing?

    Get in touch using any of the methods above.

  12. 'The raw power he has is there for everyone to see'published at 17:09 GMT 8 November 2025

    England v Fiji (17:40 GMT)

    Attack coach Lee Blackett wants Exeter wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to go hunting for the ball to show his devastating pace after being starved of the ball last week.

    "He has bucketloads of potential," Blackett told BBC Radio 5 Live.

    "He is explosive over one or two yards. When I first saw him as an 18-year-old I couldn't get over how much faster he was than the other players.

    "The raw power he has is there for everyone to see. We have to guide him to build relationships with the players around him and help him learn where to go to get his hands on the ball."

    Immanuel Feyi-Waboso runs at Australia's defenceImage source, Getty Images
  13. What will Marcus Smith bring to England?published at 17:06 GMT 8 November 2025

    England v Fiji (17:40 GMT)

    Marcus SmithImage source, Getty Images

    England have rotated their squad from last weekend's win against Australia.

    Among the changes is the inclusion of Harlequins' Marcus Smith at full-back, while Northampton's Fin Smith gets the nod at fly-half.

    "I'm really hopeful that we'll see Marcus in space in unstructured opportunities," said England coach Steve Borthwick.

    "Everybody in the stadium is going to be excited when that ball comes into his hands in a bit of space.

    "He's a brilliant player. You see him out there at the end of training, he's always working to add to his game. He's hungry and he's exciting. That's what I want to see from him on Saturday.

    "Last weekend we had opportunities, but unfortunately we didn't convert them. We've been working on that this week to make sure we support on line-break situations, finish and get the points on the board."

  14. England's line-uppublished at 17:04 GMT 8 November 2025

    England v Fiji (17:40 GMT)

    England line-up
  15. All Blacks hold off Scotland to win epic Testpublished at 17:00 GMT 8 November 2025

    New Zealand have beaten Scotland 25-17 at Murrayfield, by the way, thanks to Damian McKenzie's superb finish in the corner.

    Scotland's wait for a first win over the All Blacks goes on.

    Twickenham next week for the All Blacks.

    Damian McKenzieImage source, Getty Images
  16. Smith leads England inpublished at 16:59 GMT 8 November 2025

    England v Fiji (17:40 GMT)

    Alastair Telfer
    BBC Sport at Allianz Stadium

    Fin SmithImage source, Getty Images

    Fin Smith was one of the England players at the front of the charge into the stadium.

    A huge opportunity for Smith, who was England’s starting 10 at the Six Nations, to respond to George Ford’s recent performances in the fly-half jersey.

    Ben Earl is at the back with his headphones in. Cool, calm and collected.

    Could he play any part of the game at inside centre?

    I've seen this place rocking in past when the home team arrives.

    Not quite this time.

    England fansImage source, Getty Images
  17. Defeat at Twickenham in 2023 'a tough day'published at 16:56 GMT 8 November 2025

    England v Fiji (17:40 GMT)

    Waisea Nayacalevu of Fiji celebrates scoring in the 2023 gameImage source, Getty Images

    England are determined to avenge Fiji's shock win in their most recent meeting at Twickenham in August 2023.

    "It hurt," said prop Ellis Genge, who will lead England out today. "It was the first time they'd ever beaten us at Twickenham. And I was a part of it. It feels like I've been a part of a lot of heartache.

    "It was a tough day, we spoke about the conversation we had four days after it and how uncomfortable it was. You don't want to replicate those feelings.

    "Looking forward, it was a long time ago and it probably made us better because we went out and put together one of our best performances at the World Cup against Argentina with 14 men. So every cloud."

    Simione Kuruvolia of Fiji celebrates scoring the team's third tryImage source, Getty Images
  18. Last time at Twickenham - Fiji's historic winpublished at 16:52 GMT 8 November 2025

    England v Fiji (17:40 GMT)

    England followers won't need reminding of their most recent meeting with Fiji at Twickenham.

    Fiji won 30-22 in what was England's final warm-up game before the 2023 World Cup.

    It was Fiji's first ever win over England. It was also England's fifth defeat in six - their defence was fragile and their attack outclassed.

    Dark days for England.

    England (8) 22

    Tries: May, Smith, Marchant Cons: Ford 2 Pen: Ford

    Fiji (3) 30

    Tries: Nayacalevu, Habosi, Kuruvoli Cons: Muntz 3 Pens: Muntz 3

    Fiji celebrate winning at Twickenham in 2023Image source, Getty Images
  19. History beckons for Scotland?published at 16:48 GMT 8 November 2025

    Latest: Scotland 17-17 New Zealand

    I'm focusing on England v Fiji here, but there's a barnstormer of a game going on at Murrayfield right now.

    Scotland, aiming to beat New Zealand for the first time ever, have come back from miles behind and are now level with the All Blacks with about 10 minutes left to play.

    Follow the closing stages live with text and radio coverage on our dedicated page (but, if you do leave me, please come back later!)

  20. Full house?published at 16:45 GMT 8 November 2025

    England v Fiji (17:40 GMT)

    Alastair Telfer
    BBC Sport at Allianz Stadium

    England supporters

    Most supporters have packed in front of the big screen to watch Scotland against New Zealand.

    It was busy two hours before kick-off after talk that the game at Allianz Stadium may not be a sell-out.

    Australia and New Zealand were the two big fixtures this autumn but it still looks like this one will be well attended.

    Will have to wait and see if it is a full house.

    England supporters