Fiji 24 England 45

England were tested a little more than they would have liked, and incurred several casualties along the way, but still managed a 45-24 victory over Fiji at Twickenham and now progress to a weekend date with South Africa in Paris.

Young England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson must be the greatest injury concern ahead of Sunday's quarter-final having been apparently knocked out by a high tackle from Fiji captain and hooker Greg Smith as he put Phil Greening over for a try with ten minutes remaining.  A concussion would result in a mandatory three-week lay-off.

Matt Perry was forced from the field with shoulder trouble shortly before the final whistle and Austin Healey was replaced at half-time having taken a general battering.

A half-time lead of 21-3 was more down to the fact that England, through Wilkinson, chose to convert penalties rather than attempting to run or kick for the lineout, as the Southern Hemisphere side invariably chose to.

Penalties were traded for the first quarter of the match before a tremendous breakaway from wing Dan Luger put some space between the two sides in the 23rd minute.  He then promptly left the field with a groin strain.

England were almost as guilty as Fiji of cynical fouling close to the line, with Nick Beal receiving a yellow card after half an hour for holding on to prop Daniel Rouse in the tackle, just yards from the try-line.

Fiji's play has progressed a long way from their familiar, flowing Sevens style but, when given a chance by the English, they took it with abandon.  Two knock-ons close to the line denied tries that could have brought Fiji level at the half but instead England were allowed to bear down with their extra weight and discipline in the tight.

A try for Mel Nakauta in the 79th minute rounded out a period of play in which England were worryingly on the back-foot, but it was too little too late.

The Teams:

Fiji:  1 Dan Rouse, 2 Greg Smith (c), 3 Joeli Veitayaki, 4 Emori Katalau, 5 Simon Raiwalui, 6 Koli Sewabu, 7 Setareki Tawake Naivaluwaqa, 8 Ifereimi Tawake, 9 Mosese Rauluni, 10 Waisale Serevi, 11 Imanueli Tikomaimakogai, 12 Meli Nakauta, 13 Viliame Satala, 14 Marika Vunibaka, 15 Alfred Uluinayau
Reserves:  Nicky Little, Inoke Male, Epeli Naituvau, Jacob Rauluni, Isaia Rasila, Waisake Sotutu
Unused:  Alifereti Doviverata

England:  1 Darren Garforth, 2 Phil Greening, 3 Jason Leonard, 4 Garath Archer, 5 Martin Johnson (c), 6 Neil Back, 7 Joe Worsley, 8 Lawrence Dallaglio, 9 Austin Healey, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 11 Nick Beal, 12 Mike Catt, 13 Will Greenwood, 14 Dan Luger, 15 Matt Perry
Reserves:  Richard Cockerill, Matt Dawson, Phil De Glanville, Paul Grayson, Richard Hill, Tim Rodber, Graham Rowntree

Attendance:  60000
Referee:  Bevan d

Points Scorers:

Fiji
Tries:  Nakauta M. 1, Satala V. 1, Tikomaimakogai I. 1
Conv:  Little N.T. 3
Pen K.:  Serevi W.T. 1

England
Tries:  Back N.A. 1, Beal N.D. 1, Greening P.B.T. 1, Luger D.D. 1
Conv:  Dawson M.J.S. 1, Wilkinson J.P. 1
Pen K.:  Wilkinson J.P. 7