Week of Monday 3 November – Sunday 9 November 2025
RUGBY UNION
England’s power game overwhelms resilient Fiji
England 38-18 Fiji (Allianz Stadium, Twickenham) – Saturday, 8 November
England secured their ninth consecutive victory with a 38-18 win over Fiji at Twickenham, though they were made to work hard for it by a spirited Fijian side who led for much of the first half. The breakthrough came in the 69th minute when Henry Arundell showed his searing pace after being presented with a half-chance by Marcus Smith’s grubber, effectively sealing Fiji’s fate. England’s ‘Bomb Squad’ again proved decisive as Steve Borthwick sent on five replacement forwards in the 54th minute, and while they made a difference, it was Arundell’s athleticism that truly put the game beyond doubt.
The match saw England score six tries through Luke Cowan-Dickie, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Arundell and Maro Itoje, with Fin Smith converting four. Fiji paid for two yellow cards to Selestino Ravutaumada and Josua Tuisova at different stages of the game, with their sin-binned players leaving crucial gaps that England exploited. Leading 14-13 at halftime, the hosts only managed to stamp their authority from the middle of the second half onwards.
Flanker Ben Earl, named man of the match for the second week running, acknowledged the stern test: “It was probably one of the hardest games of rugby I’ve had to play. They have world-class players across the pitch.” England now face New Zealand at Twickenham next Saturday in what promises to be their toughest autumn test yet.
Champions survive Stoop scare to extend unbeaten streak
Harlequins Women 26-33 Gloucester-Hartpury Women (Twickenham Stoop) – Sunday, 9 November
Gloucester-Hartpury maintained their winning start to the Premiership Women’s Rugby season but were made to labour for a gritty victory over a stubborn Harlequins side who dominated for large periods. The reigning champions trailed 26-14 early in the second half before unleashing their formidable bench to turn the match around, extending their unbeaten PWR streak to 14 matches.
Harlequins started brilliantly, with captain Jade Konkel, Silvia Turani, Carys Phillips and Sarah Parry all crossing to give the hosts a commanding lead. Flanker Nicole Wythe and debutant Liana Mikaele-Tu’u were sensational for Quins, fronting up physically to the champions’ pack in a way few teams manage. But the introduction of England captain Zoe Stratford proved pivotal, as she won four crucial lineout steals to halt Harlequins’ momentum.
The final 20 minutes belonged to Gloucester-Hartpury, with Sam Monaghan, Alex Matthews and Mia Venner scoring the decisive tries as the visitors’ superior depth told. Emma Sing’s conversion of Venner’s 72nd-minute score sealed the comeback victory. While Harlequins will wonder what might have been after their spirited performance, Gloucester-Hartpury showed exactly why they’re the team to beat this season with their champion mentality in the danger zone.
FOOTBALL
Chelsea held by Qarabag in Azerbaijan
Qarabag 2-2 Chelsea (Tofik Bəhramov Stadium, Baku) – Wednesday, 5 November
Chelsea were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw by Qarabag in Baku, denting their hopes of achieving direct passage to the Champions League last-16 by finishing in the top eight. Things looked desperate for the away side when Marko Jankovic’s penalty saw them fall behind in the first half following a brilliant strike from Leandro Andrade that had levelled the match after Estêvão’s early opener.
An early goal by the Brazilian 18-year-old appeared to have Chelsea en route to a routine win following their 2,500-mile journey to the eastern edge of Europe. Estêvão cut inside and fired past the keeper at his near post on 15 minutes to claim his second Champions League goal for the club. However, Qarabag played with great intent and physicality which saw them fire in two goals before the break – Andrade’s 29th-minute equaliser and Jankovic’s penalty after Jorrel Hato’s handball.
Substitute Alejandro Garnacho rescued a point for Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea when he charged from the halfway line and drilled a low effort home with his left foot just seven minutes after coming on at half-time. Both teams had great chances to win it in the five minutes of added time – Garnacho’s spectacular scissor-kick was kept out by the legs of keeper Mateusz Kochalski while at the other end, Robert Sanchez had to be alert to deny Qarabag.
Manager Maresca, who made seven changes from the side that beat Tottenham, defended his rotation policy: “When you win, no-one mentioned all that. I know that when we don’t win, everyone is focused on that.” The draw leaves Chelsea on seven points from four matches, with work to do to secure automatic qualification.
Chelsea cruise past bottom-club Wolves
Chelsea 3-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Stamford Bridge) – Saturday, 8 November
Chelsea climbed to second in the Premier League table (before dropping down to third when Man City beat Liverpool on Sunday) as three second-half goals saw them to a comfortable 3-0 win over manager-less Wolves at Stamford Bridge. The Blues had been booed off at half-time after struggling to turn their dominance into a goal in the first 45, but tore their visitors apart after the break.
Malo Gusto headed his first career goal early in the second half from Alejandro Garnacho’s cross, before João Pedro rammed home his second in two league matches and Pedro Neto knocked in the third. Garnacho was the standout performer with two assists, while the introduction of exciting teenager Estêvão from the bench raised the energy inside an anxious Stamford Bridge.
Wolves, coached by interim manager James Collins following the sacking of Vitor Pereira, were beaten in the second half as the hosts proved too much for the Old Gold. Winless Wolves remain bottom of the table and are still without a victory this season, adding to their relegation fears. Chelsea are now just six points behind leaders Arsenal and firmly in the title race conversation.
Fulham’s away woes continue at Everton
Everton 2-0 Fulham (Hill Dickinson Stadium) – Saturday, 8 November
Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane supplemented Everton’s misfiring attack in a 2-0 win which extended Fulham’s woes on the road to a fifth successive match. Gueye stabbed home his second of the campaign in the fourth minute of first-half added time after Tim Iroegbunam had completely fluffed his shot in front of goal from a James Tarkowski header which rebounded off the crossbar.
Keane converted a corner to earn David Moyes’ side a first Premier League win in four games and move them into mid-table, powering home a header at the near post with nine minutes remaining. England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford stuck out a foot to deny substitute Rodrigo Muniz in a rare Fulham chance before Keane wrapped things up.
Fulham’s defeat means they stay just one point clear of the Premier League relegation zone and the pressure is beginning to mount on Marco Silva’s side. After last weekend’s 3-0 win over Wolves, this was a chance to build momentum, but instead they found themselves second best for large spells.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
Monday 10 November – Sunday 16 November:
Rugby Union:
- England v New Zealand – Allianz Stadium, Twickenham (Saturday 15 November, 3:10pm)
- Harlequins v Saracens – Twickenham Stoop (Sunday 16 November, 3:00pm) – Prem Rugby Cup
Football:
- Premier League action resumes after international break (weekend of 22-23 November)
- Chelsea v Arsenal – Stamford Bridge (Sunday 30 November) – potential title race showdown
STORY OF THE WEEK
England’s winning machine rolls on at Twickenham
England’s ninth consecutive victory wasn’t pretty, but it showcased exactly what Steve Borthwick has built: a resilient, physically dominant side that finds ways to win even when not at their best. Fiji’s flair and power had them leading for much of the first half at Twickenham, threatening to repeat their shock 2023 upset. But England’s depth – particularly their much-vaunted ‘Bomb Squad’ – and clinical finishing in the final quarter proved the difference. With the All Blacks arriving next weekend, this gutsy performance suggests England are peaking at the right time for their biggest autumn test.
