Owen Farrell played a crucial role in helping England reach the Rugby World Cup semi-finals following their 30-24 victory against Fiji in Marseille.

England appeared to be on their way to a semi-final against either hosts France or reigning champions South Africa after first-half tries from centres Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant.

However, Fiji produced a stirring fightback in Marseille, scoring tries through Viliame Mata, Peni Ravai, and Vilimoni Botitu, but Farrell’s 20 points with the boot proved decisive.

Fiji was denied the opportunity to make history and reach the final four for the third time as they were eliminated in the quarter-final stage.

The game got off to a frantic start, with Fiji’s famed tacklers winning a couple of early turnovers.

Farrell was able to kick a simple penalty from under the posts after England’s first turnover, which was claimed by Courtney Lawes.

While Fiji held up the initial catch and drive, Tuilagi burst around the blindside, powering through two tacklers before twisting and stretching his arm over the line to score one-handed.

Fiji’s brilliant counter-ruck earned the Pacific Islanders a penalty, but Frank Lomani’s kick hit the post.

Lomani, on the other hand, did not waste his next opportunity after a no-arms tackle from Tom Curry, and England led 8-3 at the end of the first quarter.

On 24 minutes, England appeared to have taken a decisive turn, with Marchant stepping inside despite an overlap to score a second try.

Vinaya Habosi, however, made head-on contact with Marcus Smith in the build-up and was shown a yellow card.

Nonetheless, the 14 men banded together.

Lomani missed a second penalty, but Fiji quickly responded with a clever pass through his legs by fly-half Botitu, who set up No.8 Mata to sell a dummy and dart over.

Despite being outscored numerically, England quickly regained control, and two more Farrell penalties gave them a 21-10 lead at the break.

The second half devolved into a scrappy and fractious battle, with the two teams’ openside flankers, Curry and Levani Botia, almost coming to blows at one point.

Farrell converted a penalty and then missed a long-range attempt.

On 64 minutes, however, replacement prop Ravai hit a perfect line onto Simione Kuruvoli’s pass to blast over and score.

Fiji’s tails were up suddenly, and after scrum-half Kuruvoli hit the post with a penalty, the Pacific Islanders struck again.

Semi Radradra’s brilliant offload propelled Isoa Nasilasila through a gap, and he fed Botitu for Fiji’s third try.

Kuruvoli’s conversion tied the game at 24-24.

However, Farrell had the final say, and despite Fiji playing for nearly six minutes after the final hooter, they were unable to find a winning converted try.