England player ratings vs Fiji: Farrell and Itoje back to their best

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England are through to the semi-finals of Rugby World Cup 2023 after surviving a late fightback from Fiji to win 30-24 at Stade de Marseille on Sunday.

Tries from Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant as well as 11 points from the boot of Owen Farrell had given England a handy 21-10 lead at half-time.

However, the Flying Fijians roared back into the game in the second half, scoring tries through Peni Ravai and Vilimoni Botitu to level things at 24-24.

In the end it was England fly-half and captain Farrell who settled things for the 2003 champions, kicking a drop goal to regain the lead before slotting a late penalty to secure victory and a place in the last four.

Scroll down for the England player ratings vs Fiji..

Most points: Owen Farrell - 20

Metres: Ben Earl - 99

Defenders beaten: Ben Earl - 7

Tackles: Tom Curry - 19

Tackles missed: Maro Itoje - 4

Turnovers won: Maro Itoje - 1

1 Ellis Genge - 6

Took a while to impose his physicality, after being sat backwards in a tackle by a whooping Fiji carry. Hard worker in the break-down, as England utilised the counter-rucks excellently. Penalised for dissent after a heated altercation saw him slapped on the chin, with tempers flaring over in the quarter-final. Carried hard and tackled for the hour. (Off – Joe Marler 60 minutes)

2 Jamie George - 7

A key instigator in the verbal battle, George was pictured laughing at his opposite man in the scrum and goading a reaction. His first line-out was squandered, but proceeded to send darts to hands as England improved their set-piece from the second attempt and onwards. The set-piece improved and George’s fitness was well presented in the full 80-minute run-out. Huge shift from the hooker.

3 Dan Cole - 6

Physical battle veteran, Cole let his knowledge of the scrum prevail and used his old-school style to get the upper hand of his opponents in the break-down. The scrum was a steady match, yet England were 30kg lighter, and held their own well, with Dan Cole a key pillar. (Off – Kyle Sinckler 59 minutes)

4 Maro Itoje - 8.5

His best match for a very long time. Itoje looks like he is hitting top gear, as he did in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final. Good vocal opening set-pieces, with a leadership role in the line-outs. Took centre stage with a thrilling carry from an intercept, and fended a tackler away. Excellent chop tackles, but was levelled by a double hit as the match became a physical showdown of dominance. Brilliant turnovers and leading by example, Itoje was back to his elite best.

5 Ollie Chessum - 6.5

Tackled hard throughout the contest, and will wake up with sore shoulders tomorrow. Not the starring role which he had throughout the pool stages, as Itoje’s resurgence of form took the spotlight in the second row. Ever present in defence, racking up the tackles as England built a brick wall. Put his body on the line and never failed to slow down the physical Fijian ball carriers. (Off – George Martin 69 minutes)

6 Courtney Lawes - 8.5

Simply epic. Lawes had one of the games of his life on Borthwick’s blindside flank. Lawes flew into tackles from kick off, as England’s line-speed was something to marvel at. He was dumped into touch by a trio of Fijian defenders, yet bounced back to steal the ball multiple times at the breakdown. A huge 48^th minute turnover halted a flying Fijian attack, as did his effort on the 58^th minute, with the Pacific Islanders battling hard to fight back. Constantly offering an option in attack, Lawes was sublime today.

7 Tom Curry - 6

Today’s ‘bad boy’ who was lucky to stay on the pitch. His reunion with referee Mathieu Raynal lasted longer than his two minute cameo against Argentina, as Curry remained on the pitch despite some chopsy moments. Under TMO review for a no arms tackle and disrupting the breakdown, Curry made an enemy out of Botia, but made up in a nice showing of sportsmanship. Performance wise, Curry was strong in defence with his customary hits and was a key instigator in England’s success at the breakdown turnovers.

8 Ben Earl - 8.5

14 tackles. 11 carries. Simply awesome. Ben Earl was phenomenal against Fiji, and looked set to score the try of the tournament following his solo breakaway in the closing moments of the match. Quick over the break-down, as he worked tirelessly to secure the turnovers, and had the entire England side cheering in his recognised style. A 38^th minute turnover took the wind out of the flying Fijian sails, and presented an astute rucking knowledge by goading in his opponents to go off their feet. One of, if not his best day in an England shirt.

9 Alex Mitchell - 7.5

Barking orders around the park, as he dictates his forwards to hit up against the physical Fijians. Happy to take the lead with quick tap penalties, playing like an experienced England halfback. Confident box kicks, a strong showing from the boot. An excellent showing from the Northampton nine. (Off – Danny Care 59 minutes).

10 Owen Farrell (c) - 8

An excellent showing from the boot, with eagerness to kick to May and Daly out wide early on. Left his mark with a less than perfectly timed tackle on Botitu, after just four minutes. A strong showing from the boot to find touch, with a slight blemish coming from the tee as he hit the post once. Imposed his physicality with strong hits, and ignored the claims for a high tackle on Radradra following his own kick-chase.

Back to his best, exciting signs from Farrell who gave a true captain’s contribution both in attack and defence. Nailed a Wilkinson-Ford esque drop goal, and beat the kicking stop clock.

11 Elliot Daly - 6

Slow start, as he could not get over in support of an isolated Ben Earl. Really good attacking shape, and drew heavy shots in the process. Nailed off the ball and then in a triple tackle for a bruising run-out. His best run came in the 43^rd minute, as the Saracen cut his way through five Fijian defenders on a weaving run into the back-field.

12 Manu Tuilagi - 7

Transitioned in the back-line with Marcus Smith at second receiver, and scored his first England try in two years to open his side’s account. An excellent burst of speed cruised through two defenders and over to score. Tuilagi was sold by Mata’s dummy, as the Fijian number eight scored in the first half. Interesting shoving altercation with Joe Marler presented how fired up the England side were.

13 Joe Marchant - 7

Received a hospital pass for his first involvement that saw him take a heavy hit, and was then turned over on the deck. However, he soon fired back with key running lines, and scored England’s second try of the match. A nice line break cut back inside and over the try-line. Awesome defence, and goaded Fijian defenders to fly off their feet for a 37^th minute penalty. Presented his versatility in defence as he was pushed out wide, following Ollie Lawrence’s introduction.

14 Jonny May - 6.5

Really good defensive work from the Gloucester winger, as he managed to cope with the powerful threats of Semi Radradra along his touchline. Committed well to the breakdown, as England threw plenty of men into the counter rucks. Swarmed Radradra at every given opportunity, and forced Fiji to attack in field. Try saving tackle on Nayacalevu overshadowed by Ravai’s try shortly after. Strong effort from May. (Off - Ollie Lawrence 64 minutes)

15 Marcus Smith - 7

Despite starting at fullback, Smith frequently slotted into the second receiver role in the England back-line. Confident under the high ball in his new-found position, Smith started strong but was often swarmed by Fiji defenders and was side-lined through a blood injury, after a nasty clashing of heads with Vinaya Habosi. Ran searching lines and covered well throughout in defence, Smith left Marseille bloodied and battered, but through to the semi-final.

Replacements:

16 Theo Dan N/a

17 Joe Marler 6.5

On for the final 20 minutes, and gave Manu Tuilagi a shove in a bizzare interaction. Scrummed well alongside his former Quins teammate Kyle Sinckler, as the back-up brigade saw out the victory. Kept flying out the line, as the exhaustive tempo ran long into the 80^th minute.

18 Kyle Sinckler 6

On alongside Marler as England shook up the front row, Sinckler kept a cool head a sturdy frame to battle against the Fijians with tempers reaching boiling point. Offered a good option in the lose, and was as quick off the line from the first moment he came on to the end of the match. A definite tempo-lift at tight-head.

19 George Martin 5.5

Given just eleven minutes with Ollie Chessum making way for Martin. The lock did his best to make an impact, in an effort to stamp his name on the squad-list for the semi-final in Paris. Strong tackling as Fiji took England to the limit for the final phases of the match.

20 Billy Vunipola 5.5

On to see out proceedings as Tom Curry was running on fumes. Vunipola was sprinting out the line to make key hits on the Fijian carriers. Slotting into number eight for a specialist end to the match, he shifted Ben Earl out to the flank for the final few scrums. The Saracens partnership worked well for the matches closing moments.

21 Danny Care 6.5

On for Alex Mitchell, to offer an experienced England head to see out the dramatic closing moments. Immediate involvement kept in tune with England’s breakdown success, as Care contributed to a 65^th minute turnover. Fronting up physically as he did against Samoa, care had a stronger defensive role, than he did in the try-scoring efforts from a week ago.

22 George Ford N/a

23 Ollie Lawrence 6.5

On after 25 minutes for Marcus Smith’s blood injury, the Bath centre slotted in alongside Tuilagi, with Marchant briefly pushed out into the back-three. He returned to the fray full-time after 64 minutes, as he replaced Jonny May for the matches’ dramatic finale. Lawrence gave a key contribution in both stints against Fiji, and kept the tempo high for Borthwick’s men.

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