Nervy England get first-up win

Two try hero Mike Brown may be certain of his place in England’s next World Cup match, but England coach Stuart Lancaster could make changes for the clash with Wales.

“They powered through late on and got the all-important bonus point having scored four tries”.

Rather than trusting their pack to eventually wear down their rivals, the go-to tactic that has served them so well in most of their best performances in recent years, England looked impatient to get the ball wide.

However, it was replacement forward Billy Vunipola’s try in stoppage time that really capped the win for England, giving them a bonus point that could prove vital in a tough Pool A also containing Australia and Wales.

The hosts struggled to replicate their earlier tempo in the first half, and it took until after the hour mark for more points to be registered, with Fiji claiming another three thanks to a Volavola penalty.

The respite was temporary though as Nemani Nadolo scored moments later, when the giant wing clung on to Ben Volavola’s crossfield kick.

Mike’s former college was quick to send their support, they said: “We are extremely proud of what he has achieved”. They were illegally stopped from scoring and the referee awarded a penalty try which Ford converted.

“You look at the games Fiji have played, the Pacific Nations games and Canada, and in the set-piece they have been on top”. “He lifted the game by scruff of the neck”.

After a spectacular opening ceremony featuring Prince Harry and some rugby legends, England quickly went 15-0 ahead.

“It’s a home World Cup, first game up against a team with nothing to lose”.

However, he came to the fore to dig the hosts out of trouble as Fiji threatened to cause a shock in the first game of the tournament.

Fiji has a reputation for flair and innovative play but historically for being somewhat disorganised – not so much anymore!

Nikola Matawalu, sin-binned after England’s penalty try, was denied a sensational breakaway try when television replays showed the scrum-half lost control of the ball in the act of touching it down.

It’s a big try in the context of this pool.

Replacement prop Kieran Brookes meanwhile says playing in a World Cup is a “massive dream come true”, especially given he only made his full global debut last June.