England vs Fiji: Rugby World Cup kick-off time, TV channel, team news, lineups, venue, odds
Few predicted the Pacific Islanders would reach the last eight of this tournament but their admirers certainly grew after a historic victory over England at Twickenham in both teams’ final warm-up game for France back in August.
Australia have since become Fiji’s biggest victims as they squeezed into the quarter-finals for the first time in 16 years via a shock bonus-point defeat by Portugal.
England endured a nervy final outing of the pool stage themselves, only beating Samoa by a single point to maintain their 100 per cent record.
Defeat in Marseille would leave Steve Borthwick’s side contending with their fears turning into reality. It would mean a second major upset in this banana-skin fixture in a matter of weeks, and a third early exit from the last four World Cups.
Date, kick-off time and venue
England vs Fiji takes place on Sunday October 15, 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 4pm BST.
The Stade Velodrome in Marseille will host the match.
Owen Farrell is set to return to fly-half for England against Fiji at the Rugby World Cup
/ PAWhere to watch England vs Fiji
TV channel: In the UK, the game is available to watch live and free to air in the UK on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 3pm.
Live stream: Fans can also catch the quarter-final action live online via the ITVX website and app.
Live blog: Follow the game live on matchday with Standard Sport’s blog, featuring expert analysis from rugby correspondent Nick Purewal in Marseille.
England vs Fiji team news
Key changes have been made by England, with Borthwick opting to return captain Owen Farrell to fly-half and boldly start Marcus Smith for just the second time in his new position at full-back, with George Ford and Freddie Steward both missing out as a result.
Joe Marchant return from out wide to the centres to partner Manu Tuilagi, with Elliot Daly lining up on the wing, opposite Jonny May.
England could have opted not start Kyle Sinckler in the front row, with Dan Coles preferred, while Billy Vunipola also has to once again settle for a place among the replacments.
Fiji made six changes for the defeat to Portugal and will likely consider a fresh rejig on Saturday to cut out the alarming mistakes from that shock loss.
Temo Mayanavanua has been ruled out due to a knee injury, with former London Irish veteran Api Ratuniyarawa called up as his replacement.
Fiji reached the quarter-finals despite a shock loss to minnows Portugal to close out Pool C
/ AFP via Getty ImagesEngland vs Fiji lineups
England XV: Smith; May, Marchant, Tuilagi, Daly; Farrell (c), Mitchell; Genge, George, Cole, Itoje, Chessum, Lawes, Curry, Earl.
Replacements: Dan, Marler, Sinckler, Martin, Vunipola, Care, Ford, Lawrence.
Fiji XV: TBC
Replacements: TBC
England vs Fiji referee
Mathieu Raynal of France leads a cosmopolitan line-up for the officiating in Marseille. Aussie Nic Berry and Frenchman Pierre Brousset will run the lines, with Wales’ Ben Whitehouse the TMO.
England vs Fiji prediction
Kicking could be the key to this game, with Fiji having felt the effects of star fly-half Caleb Muntz’s absence in their pretty middling efforts in front of the posts during the tournament.
Similarly, for England the decision over whether to go with Ford and/or Farrell could prove the deciding factor in whether Borthwick’s team sinks or swims in this game.
Fiji may have shocked the Red Rose men in the build-up to this tournament but their handling of the opener against Argentina showed they are perhaps better suited to the big game, when the chips are down and doubters most vocal.
England to win, by five to ten points.
England have a great chance at making the semi-finals in France
/ PAHead to head (h2h) history and results
The Red Rose’s perfect record in this fixture was ruined by a Twickenham defeat ahead of this World Cup.
England wins: 7
Fiji wins: 1
Draws: 0
England vs Fiji latest odds
England to win: 1/3
Fiji to win: 13/5
Draw: 20/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
