Warriors’ Te’o set for second England cap against Fiji

Fiji won the Olympic Rugby Sevens gold medal at the Rio Olympics this year – their country’s first-ever Olympic medal – but the player drain severely limits their attempt to punch their weight in the 15-a-side game.

Jones, in a reference to the notoriously strong drink brewed in Fiji, said Saturday was no time for a “kava party”.

“You can’t join the party”, insisted the former Australia and Japan coach.

“They did really well and it improves the competitiveness in our squad, making selection harder, which is what Eddie wants”.

Borthwick is reported to have been offered a position on Warren Gatland’s coaching team for next summer’s Lions tour to New Zealand, reprising the forwards tracksuit role he now performs for the Red Rose.

“The South African game was very tough physically so we’re still carrying some knocks and bruises”, he said.

“And how we look after the players if they are emotionally distraught afterwards is part of man management”.

Hughes made his Test debut as a replacement in the 37-21 victory over South Africa having qualified for England on residency grounds in June, saying of his choice: “I play my rugby to support my family and put shelter over their heads”.

Harrison got in on the act soon after when Fiji was unable to stop a driving maul, then Launchbury added a fifth try before imposing wing Nadolo finished on the left flank and failed to add the extras after stepping up for the conversion attempt. We can not be there to cheer them on they just need the positive vibes from our shores to heaven and back.

But with most of the players selected from overseas clubs coach John McKee has had no choice but to make do with the time available and keep his fingers crossed hoping for the best.

It has been 743 days since Semesa Rokoduguni made his England debut and the Bath wing described by George Ford as the most unsafe player he has ever seen has had to bide his time to win a second cap.

Tom Wood was recalled to England’s hotel on Thursday in case neither of the pair is fit.

Jones hailed his side’s display as “outstanding” as they stretched their winning run to 12 Test matches by running in nine tries against Fiji in a one-sided contest. “It’s going to be confrontational and a challenge”.

Captain Akapusi Qera muscled his way upfield and in a flash full-back Talebula arrived on an arching line that swept him over the whitewash, in the process beating lame tackles from Dylan Hartley and Billy Vunipola.

“We dropped off at certain times but it’s always hard when you get a big lead to maintain that intensity”.

Fiji-born forward Nathan Hughes has admitted that the financial benefits of representing England played an important factor in the decision to pledge allegiance to his adopted nation.