England 30-24 Fiji: Owen Farrell’s boot seals Rugby World Cup semi-final spot
Owen Farrell’s boot took England to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals with a narrow victory against Fiji in Marseille.
England led comfortably by 14 points with 15 minutes remaining, when Fiji’s Peni Ravai and Vilimoni Botitu both crossed in a frantic four minutes to level the score at 24-24.
Farrell, whose name was booed when the team was announced in the stadium after he was chosen over George Ford to start at 10, vindicated his selection as his drop-goal made it 27-24 with eight minutes remaining. Another Farrell penalty in the 78th minute gave England slightly more breathing room. Nerves were high when Farrell’s deliberate knock-on gave defiant Fiji a penalty with the clock in red, but England won the ball on the floor for a memorable victory.
After Ireland and Wales lost on Saturday, England are the last home nation in the tournament and will now face holders South Africa on Saturday in a repeat of the 2019 final.
The Springboks will pose a significantly greater challenge for an England team who enjoyed their best performance of the tournament so far after a turbulent 2023.
Line-ups
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.
Match officials
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistants: Nic Berry (Australia), Pierre Brousset (France)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
(BBC)
