'They're that good': Steve Borthwick's RWC prediction after England win

England and Fiji met for the first time on Saturday since their World Cup quarter-final two years ago, and while the outcome at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium was the same as it was in Marseille, Steve Borthwick has backed his opponents to be challenging World Cup semi-finals in the future.

England came away 38-18 victors in London in a match that was very much in the balance after almost an hour played before England’s burgeoning ‘Bomb Squad’ delivered 17 unanswered points.

Though the scoreline was not as close as their last meeting at the Stade Velodrome, where a drop goal and penalty from Owen Farrell in the final 10 minutes gave England a 30-24 win, both Borthwick and England captain Ellis Genge highlighted the quality of their opponents.

What’s more, the England head coach only backs Mick Byrne’s side to improve, aided by the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby Pacific.

Though currently ranked ninth in the World Rugby rankings, Borthwick said he expects Fiji to be “challenging the top four.”

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“You look at that Fiji team, the talent they have,” he said after the match. “You see the impact the Fijian Drua has had, you see the improvements in their set-piece, improvements in their kicking game.

“That was a team that was quarter-finals at the World Cup, and it was a tight quarter-final. If they continue their development and the impact the Drua is having upon them as well, you wouldn’t be surprised if they’re challenging the top four, Rugby World Cup semi-finals, they’re that good. I think they will be that good.

“Over the last few years, the difference between tier one and tier two has closed considerably. You saw that at the last World Cup.

“The margins are small. Having teams like Fiji coming to Twickenham and playing the style of rugby they do, it’s brilliant.”