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20 February, 2026, 6:09 am
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Vunipola says Fiji will be a threat at the breakdowns, takes on the mantle of being public enemy number 1

Vunipola says Fiji will be a threat at the breakdowns, takes on the mantle of being public enemy number 1

By Mosese Raqio
11/10/2023
Photo: Euro Sports

England number 8 Billy Vunipola has revealed that they will be looking to guard their breakdowns well against the Fiji Water Flying Fijians when they meet in their 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter final match next week.

Vunipola says they are aware of Fiji’s strength at the breakdowns and if they are a little bit off in that area then Fiji will take advantage of it.

He says Fiji is one of the biggest threats around the breakdown in world rugby.

Vunipola also mentioned that he would not say Fiji is the people's second-favourite team right now but he would say England is their first least-favourite team.

He adds in terms of being public enemy number one, they are happy to take that mantle on.

Meanwhile, winger Tom Curry who is returning from his match suspension says they are a different team now from when Fiji beat them before the World Cup.

He says this team is more than capable of overcoming any negativity around the squad.

England will be out to take revenge against the Flying Fijians when they meet next Monday after they were beaten 30-22 in Twickenham in their last World Cup warm-up match in August.

England will play Fiji at 3am Monday in Marseille.

In other RWC quarter finals, Wales will play Argentina at 3am Sunday, Ireland will take on the All Blacks at 7am on Sunday and hosts France will play South Africa at 7am next Monday.

Source: The Guardian

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