| Venue: Stade de Marseille Date: Sunday, 15 October Kick-off: 16:00 BST |
| Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live; live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app |
Owen Farrell will lead England from fly-half as they look to avenge their summer defeat by Fiji with victory in their World Cup quarter-final.
Captain Farrell became England’s all-time leading points scorer in victory over Samoa in their final Pool D game.
Fiji beat England for the first time ever during the summer as both sides finalised their World Cup preparations.
The Pacific Islanders qualified for the last eight after finishing as runners up behind Wales in Pool C.
England won all four pool games to top the group but had to come from behind as they limped to a narrow win over Samoa in their final group match.
Fiji are the last side to beat England but Steve Borthwick’s side will be favourites to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the second tournament in a row.
Victory for Fiji would create more history for the Pacific Islanders as it would secure their first last-four appearance at the tournament.
The winners will face either hosts France or defending champions South Africa in the semi-finals.
Team news
Two man of the match performances in the pool stages, including a 27-point haul in the impressive opening win over Argentina, were not enough for George Ford to retain his place in the England side.
The fly-half drops to the bench, with Farrell set to steer the attack from 10, while Joe Marchant partners Manu Tuilagi in the centres.
Marcus Smith is rewarded for his attacking intent off the bench against Samoa with a start at full-back as Freddie Steward drops out of the matchday 23.
Jonny May and Elliot Daly will start on the wings in Marseille, while England’s forward pack is unchanged.
Fiji have made five changes to the side beaten by Portugal and have selected 10 players who started in that win over England in the summer.
Tevita Ikanivere earns his first World Cup start at hooker, with Sam Matavesi, whose father Sireli Matavesi died this week, dropping to the bench.
Semi Radradra returns on the wing after missing the defeat by Portugal in the Pacific Islanders’ final pool game.
View from England camp
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, England head coach Steve Borthwick said: “It’s brilliant to be here in knockout rugby. The team has been building through the tournament and to now be here – we know it’s exciting.
“The players are embracing the challenge and they are going to rise it. These are big players who perform in the big games and we have seen that again through this tournament.
“The focus of the players has been exceptional. I ask them to train hard every day. We have built through this tournament and we have also been conscious that we need to learn and develop quickly as a team.
“This is a coaching team that has only been with this playing group since the start of this World Cup preparation. I sensed this week those big players love these challenges and it’s a great challenge.”
View from Fiji camp
Fiji kicking coach Seremaia Bai said: “The team would like to send our condolences to Sam and the family [following the death of his father].
“In Fiji family is everything. We have been 15 weeks away from our families since we started this campaign so we make that this becomes our family. If one suffers, we all suffer. In Fiji we are kind of a family even if we are from different provinces. We become very close.
“We know the players and the families come from humble beginnings and we make sure there is the care and the love that they need. It is a very tough moment but we need to stay together and care for one another.”
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)
Match facts
Head-to-head
- England have won seven of their previous eight matches against Fiji
- Fiji’s one victory came in their last meeting in August 2023 at Twickenham
England
- England are ranked sixth in the world
- They have won their last four games after a run of five defeats in six matches
Fiji
- Fiji are ranked 10th in the world
- The Pacific Islanders have never reached the semi-final of the World Cup
What happens if it’s a draw?
If the scores are tied after 80 minutes, we will have extra-time of two 10 minutes halves.If there is still no winner, the game will go to sudden death, in which whoever scores the first points in the 10 allotted minutes wins.
Should we still be unable to separate the two sides, the game will finally go to a kicking competition.
Only five players from each side who were on the pitch at the end of the match can take a kick. If both sides are successful with their five attempts, this will continue on a sudden death basis until someone misses.
