Ojomoh Provides Champagne Highlight for England to Signify Arrival on Big Stage.
This marks a curious aspect of the English team's autumn perfect record that no new players earned their international debut during the series of matches, a scenario not seen in a quarter of a century. Yet, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against Argentina while earning his second cap seemed to be the arrival of a major talent.
Star Display in Tight Victory
He proved to be the star turn in what was England's least convincing outing of the November series. He finished off the first try before creating the other two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a delightful cross-field kick was the highlight play of the opening period. Similarly, his popped pass to the center for England's third try was equally impressive, concluding a excellent debut performance at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.
Ojomoh possesses the kind of versatile skillset that all coaches would want from their midfield player. He can run, kick and pass, and he has appeared at fly-half and at both centre positions for Bath this season.
Rapid Ascent and Future Opportunities
Only a little over a week since the head coach might have felt he had discovered his midfield duo for the future. However, the best compliment that can be paid to Ojomoh is that the coach may have to reconsider. He was initially selected to an national team four years ago, but had to bide his time until the last game of the overseas trip to earn his first cap. Injuries to teammates created the opportunity for Ojomoh to begin here, and he surely will be in contention for a third cap when England regroup to begin their championship quest in the new year.
- Versatile Skillset: Excels at number ten and midfield.
- Crucial Input: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
- Important Performance: Stepped up when teammates were injured.
Squad Background and Broader Significance
How would the team have been against Argentina without him? Undoubtedly they had some fortune and perhaps it is not surprising that he was their best player. The team showed an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a major win over New Zealand. Maybe Borthwick should have made more changes.
Some perspective is needed, though. One might be inclined to criticize the side for their failure to inject much urgency into this contest, or for nearly losing a fixture they were dominating. But, this outcome completes a clean sweep of November matches for the first time since 2016. The year ends with 11 straight wins after starting with a loss. We are midway in the World Cup cycle and the situation look much more positive for Borthwick than they did at this stage.
Player Pool and Long-Term Strategy
Borthwick gives the impression that, two years out from the World Cup, he understands the core group of the team he will bring to the host nation. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. But there are very few current members of the roster who are not in contention for the upcoming event.
That represents an benefit because it was a problem for his preceding coach, who struggled when it became apparent that veterans were not going to feature in his strategy. He seems to have grasped the nettle earlier, avoiding the torrid beginning that affected the squad in the past.
Depth charts seem like they belong to sailors of yesteryear, but managers swear by them and the coach can be happy with his. Under different circumstances, England might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking narrow loss. That they were not is largely due to Ojomoh, luck, and the quality of the bench. While Borthwick plans the route 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 the recent display.