Max Ojomoh Provides Champagne Highlight for England to Signify Arrival on Grand Platform.
This marks a interesting aspect of the English team's November clean sweep that there were no debutants earned their first cap during the recent campaign, something not seen in a quarter of a century. However, Max Ojomoh's showing against the Argentine side while earning his second cap felt like the arrival of a major talent.
Star Display in Tight Win
He proved to be the key player in what was England's most challenging performance of the November series. He finished off the first try before setting up the remaining two. The setup for his teammate via a exquisite cross-field kick was the highlight play of the first half. Similarly, his popped pass to Henry Slade for England's final score was equally impressive, capping off a fine debut performance at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.
He has the sort of versatile skillset that every manager would want from their inside-centre. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has featured at fly-half and at multiple midfield roles for Bath this season.
Quick Rise and Future Opportunities
It is just a little over a week since the head coach might have felt he had finally unearthed his centre partnership for the future. But, the highest praise that can be given to Ojomoh is that Borthwick might need to reconsider. He was first called up to an national team four years ago, but had to bide his time until the last game of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to teammates paved the way for Ojomoh to start here, and he surely will be in consideration for a further appearance when the squad reconvene to begin their championship campaign in the new year.
- Multiple Abilities: Can play fly-half and centre.
- Crucial Input: Scored one try and set up two more.
- Important Performance: Delivered when teammates were injured.
Team Context and Broader Significance
Where might the team have fared against Argentina without Ojomoh? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and maybe it is not surprising that he was their best player. The team experienced an natural decline in intensity following a major win over the All Blacks. Maybe Borthwick ought to have freshened things up.
Some perspective is needed, however. One might be inclined to lambast England for their failure to inject much intensity into this match, or for almost throwing away a fixture they were dominating. But, this outcome completes a perfect record of November matches for the initial occasion since recent years. The year ends with 11 straight wins after starting with a loss. The team is midway in the World Cup cycle and things look considerably rosier for Borthwick than they did at this stage.
Squad Depth and Future Planning
The manager appears that, two years out from the global tournament, he knows the core group of the squad he will take to Australia. Naturally, there will be the odd bolter. But there are very few existing players of the squad who are not on track for the upcoming event.
That represents an advantage because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who found it difficult when it became apparent that veterans were not going to play in his strategy. He seems to have taken action earlier, preventing the difficult start that affected the squad in the previous cycle.
Player rankings sound like they are for sailors of yesteryear, but coaches swear by them and the coach can be happy with his. Under different circumstances, the team might be dealing with a loss after a gut-wrenching late defeat. The fact they avoided that owes plenty to Ojomoh, luck, and the quality of the substitutes. While Borthwick plots a course to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after 11 wins in a row, and therefore we can forgive the paucity of this performance.