England rebounds from South Africa loss by crushing 14-man Fiji 73-8 in Nations Championship

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — England mollified its critics for a week after smothering a dismal Fiji by a record 73-8 in Nations Championship rugby on Saturday.

Relevant questions about England's lineup, tactics and attitude after the hammering from world champion South Africa in Johannesburg last weekend were pacified somewhat by coming home and posting an equally unsurprising 11-try win against outclassed Fiji.

Fiji struggled for possession and could not handle England's scrum, maul and defense. Under pressure, Fiji conceded 12 penalties — nine by halftime — and a red card to scrumhalf Simione Kuruvoli for lashing out with his boot into the stomach of Ellis Genge.

That meant Fiji played the entire second half down a man and England could play wider and be ruthless. Up 35-3 at halftime, England added six more tries, including a hat trick for replacement flanker Henry Pollock. Fin Smith converted nine.

England tallied a record score against Fiji and its biggest win since beating Chile 71-0 in Lille at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

“What really pleased me was the defensive performance,” England coach Steve Borthwick said. "We played a Fiji team that is so dangerous with ball in hand. To restrict them right to the end was an impressive defensive performance. To be alive for each and every minute was pleasing.”

A more thorough vetting of England's latest changes, including Henry Slade recalled to outside center, should come from Argentina next weekend in Santiago del Estero.

After a poor show against the Springboks, England was under pressure to avoid a sixth straight test defeat for the first time in 20 years and beat Fiji, which ran Wales ragged last weekend but was overcome in the set-pieces.

Any tension in the sun-soaked crowd of 50,000 at Hill Dickinson Stadium evaporated quickly after Fiji gifted Marcus Smith the opening try when Salesi Rayasi casually let the ball bounce off the right corner flag, followed by England captain Jamie George scoring from a lineout drive before the first water break.

While Fiji flanker Levani Botia was in the sin-bin, England jumped from 14-3 to 35-3 with tries by Guy Pepper, Benhard Janse van Rensburg with his first touch on debut, and Seb Atkinson.

Fiji deserved a first try right on halftime to Kalaveti Ravouvou after 11 phases but it was chalked off after Kuruvoli was caught kicking Genge on the floor.

Surprisingly, Fiji scored the first try of the second half to captain Tevita Ikanivere but didn't go near the England tryline again.

Without any jeopardy, England debuted South Africa-born center Janse van Rensburg, 19-year-old wing Noah Caluori and prop George Kloska. Both backs scored, with Janse van Rensburg even setting up Caluori for his swan dive.

Fiji is in Scotland next weekend.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

England's Henry Pollock scores a try during the Nations Championship rugby match between England and Fiji in Liverpool, England, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Bruce Rollinson/PA via AP)

England's Henry Pollock, left, celebrates after scoring a try during the Nations Championship rugby match between England and Fiji in Liverpool, England, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Bruce Rollinson/PA via AP)

England's Noah Caluori scores a try during the Nations Championship rugby match between England and Fiji in Liverpool, England, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Bruce Rollinson/PA via AP)

England's Henry Pollock scores a try during the Nations Championship rugby match between England and Fiji in Liverpool, England, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Bruce Rollinson/PA via AP)

PAMPLONA, Spain (AP) — A runner was gored in the face and many more were fortunate to not be seriously injured during a chaotic bull run at Spain’s San Fermin festival on Saturday.

The six bulls and accompanying steers charged through crowds of thrill-seekers who packed the narrow street course in Pamplona. The huge animals knocked down bodies to the cobblestones, and stumbling runners caused several pileups during the two-and-a-half-minute run from the pen to the bull ring where bullfighters will kill the bulls later in the day.

One runner was pierced by a horn in the face, while 12 more people needed medical treatment for an assortment of knocks, according to the University of Navarra Hospital.

A black bull broke away from the pack early in the 875-meter (957-yard) run and plowed into a group of people, smacking one full in the side of the face with a horn. It was not clear if that was the moment of the goring.

Many runners appeared completely unaware when bulls were breathing down their necks and, instead of trying to gore them, just shoved them out of the way.

Saturday’s was the fifth morning run of the eight-day festival in northern Spain.

This year’s festival comes 100 years since the publication of Ernest Hemingway’s novel “The Sun Also Rises,” whose publication launched the San Fermin festival to international fame.

The last death at San Fermin's bull runs occurred in 2009, but gorings and broken bones are common, partly due to the large number of novice bull runners and foreign tourists who join the experienced locals.

Revelers run alongside Jose Escolar's fighting bulls during the fifth running of the bulls at the San Fermín festival in Pamplona, Spain, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)

Revelers run alongside Jose Escolar's fighting bulls during the fifth running of the bulls at the San Fermín festival in Pamplona, Spain, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)

A medical team treats an injured reveler after the fifth running of the bulls at the San Fermín festival in Pamplona, Spain, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)

Revelers run alongside Jose Escolar's fighting bulls during the fifth running of the bulls at the San Fermín festival in Pamplona, Spain, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)

Revelers fall next to Jose Escolar's fighting bulls during the fifth running of the bulls at the San Fermín festival in Pamplona, Spain, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)