England snatch dramatic late bonus point win over Fiji

England needed a tight TMO decision late into stoppage time to grab a vital 35-11 bonus point victory over Fiji in their World Cup Group A opener.

The hosts led 18-8 at the break thanks to an early penalty try before Mike Brown dived over for his first of a brace on the night with Fiji down to 14 men.

Giant winger Nemani Nadolo out jumped Anthony Watson to put Fiji back within touch at the break. But a combination of terrific Fiji defence and England errors meant that Stuart Lancaster's side were still two tries short of a bonus point with less than ten minutes remaining.

Brown crossed for his second in the corner after great offload work from substitute Owen Farrell and Jonny May before Billy Vunipola forced the ball just onto the edge of the whitewash from close range. There followed an anxious wait as the TMO replayed the incident over and over before the try was finally awarded.

And with England also to play Wales and Australia in the so-called ‘Group of death’, Vunipola’s try may be crucial to England’s hopes if it comes to points difference.

England must tighten up their handling. They coughed up over ten turnovers to Fiji and made a raft of errors at the breakdown. Lucky to get the bonus point win.

3’ – ENGLAND 3-0 FIJI – PENALTY! A great opening scrum from England forces an early penalty that George Ford converts.

13’ – ENGLAND 10-0 FIJI – PENALTY TRY! England get on the rolling maul and Matawalu is penalised for stopping the advance and is sin-binned. George for adds the extras.

23’ – ENGLAND 15-0 FIJI – TRY! A great snaffle of Fiji’s lineout from Tom Wood and it goes through the backs to Mike Brown, who dives over near the corner. Ford misses the extras.

27’ – FIJI TRY RULED OUT! A great break from the base of the scrum from Matawalu and he beats the attentions of Watson and Brown but drops the ball just before the line.

30’ – ENGLAND 15-5 FIJI – TRY! This time there is no mistake as Nandolo jumps high from Volavola’s Crossfield kick to score.

34’ – ENGLAND 18-5 FIJI – PENALTY! Ford punishes Fiji for offside.

36’ – ENGLAND 18-8 FIJI – PENALTY! Nandolo punishes England’s Chris Robshaw for an infringement.

64’ – ENGLAND 18-11 FIJI – PENALTY! Nandolo charges through the England defence and forces the offside. Volavola takes over and slots it down the middle.

68’ – ENGLAND 21-11 FIJI – PENALTY! Owen Farrell puts England further ahead.

72’ – ENGLAND 28-11 FIJI – TRY! That’s Mike Brown’s second of the night as England work the space in the corner. Great offload from May and a great finish. Farrell adds the rest.

83’ - ENGLAND 35-11 FIJI – TRY! Billy Vunipola launches himself at the line and it’s a bonus point win.