• Switch Edition
ESPN SCRUM / Head to Head / News
Follow@ESPNSCRUM
England v Fiji, Twickenham, November 10
England and Fiji braced for fresh encounter
ESPN Staff
November 5, 2012
England's Jonny WIlkinson cops a high shot against Fiji, England v Fiji, 1999 Rugby World Cup, Twickenham, England, October 20, 1999
England's Jonny Wilkinson cops a high shot in the last time the pair met © PA Photos
Enlarge

Saturday's match between England and Fiji will be the first time the teams have come face-to-face since 1999.

It is the fifth official Test between the two sides with England currently unbeaten against the Pacific Islanders. Their first Test meeting was back in June 1988 where England prevailed 25-12 in Suva with a brace from Rory Underwood and a further score from Bryan Barley enough to get them over the line against 14-man Fiji who had Mosese Taga sent-off.

Their most recent match came during the 1999 Rugby World Cup and it was a similar story for England who ran out four-try victors against the Islanders. Fiji pushed them close on the try-scoring stakes with three of their own but the boot of Jonny Wilkinson - who slotted seven penalties and a conversion - was enough to give the home team a 45-24 victory.

While the record books show four official Test meetings between the two countries, Fiji have played a further three Tests against an England XV side with the Rugby Football Union not recognising the matches as capped internationals. The England XV won on all three occasions triumphing in Suva in 1973 and 1979 and also at Twickenham in 1982.

England v Fiji

All-time record: Played: 4, England won 4, Fiji won 0

Biggest winning margin: Eng: 35 (England 58-23 Fiji, November 4, 1989) ; Fiji: 0

Highest score: Eng: 58 (England 58-23 Fiji, November 4, 1989) ; Fiji: 24 (England 45-24 Fiji, October 20, 1999)

Most tries: Eng: 10 (58-23, 1989); Fiji: 4 (58-23, 1989)

Most points (individual): Eng: 32 Rory Underwood; Fiji: 26 Severo Koroduadua Waqanibau

Most tries (individual): Eng: 8 Rory Underwood; Fiji: 1 (14 players)

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.