Overview
- England defeated Fiji 73-8 at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, ending a five-match losing run and seeing Fiji scrum-half Simione Kuruvoli sent off with a straight red card.
- The match drew about 50,209 spectators, a record attendance for one of Fiji’s designated home games and a far larger crowd than Fiji attracted in Cardiff the previous week.
- Members of the England squad and coaching staff ran T1 rugby and community sessions with Everton in the Community, the RFU and Sale Sharks Foundation to introduce young people to the sport.
- Organisers say Hill Dickinson has quickly proven its value as a multi-use venue after hosting Super League’s Magic Weekend and planned golf and entertainment events that aim to boost Liverpool’s economy.
- Analysts warn Fiji’s plan to cash in on UK 'home' fixtures is uncertain because of uneven attendances and the loss of Qatar Airways as the tournament’s lead sponsor, a shortfall that could limit money flowing back to Fijian rugby.