Max Ojomoh Provides Champagne Moment for English Side to Signify Emergence on Big Stage.
This marks a curious aspect of England's November clean sweep that there were no debutants made their first cap during the series of matches, a scenario not seen in 25 years. Yet, Max Ojomoh's showing against the Argentine side while earning his second cap felt like the arrival of a future star.
Standout Performance in Hard-Fought Victory
Ojomoh was the key player in what was the team's most challenging performance of the autumn. He scored the first try before setting up the other two. The setup for his teammate via a delightful cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the first half. Similarly, his popped pass to the center for England's third try was just as eye-catching, concluding a excellent debut performance at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.
He has the kind of versatile skillset that all coaches desire from their inside-centre. He can run, kick and pass, and he has featured at number ten and at both centre positions for Bath this campaign.
Rapid Rise and Future Prospects
Only eight days since Steve Borthwick could have believed he had discovered his centre partnership for the future. But, the best compliment that can be paid to Ojomoh is that Borthwick may have to think again. He was first called up to an national team previously, but had to wait until the final match of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to other players paved the way for Ojomoh to start here, and he surely will be in contention for a third cap when England reconvene to start their championship quest in the new year.
- Versatile Skillset: Can play number ten and centre.
- Crucial Input: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
- Important Performance: Stepped up when teammates were unavailable.
Squad Background and Wider Implications
Where might the team have been against their opponents without Ojomoh? Certainly they rode their luck and perhaps it is not surprising that he was their standout performer. The team showed an inevitable drop-off in energy following a significant victory over the All Blacks. Perhaps the coach should have freshened things up.
A balanced view is needed, though. One might be inclined to criticize the side for their inability to inject much intensity into this contest, or for nearly losing a fixture they were controlling. However, this result marks a perfect record of November matches for the first time since 2016. The year ends with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a defeat. The team is halfway through the four-year tournament plan and the situation look much more positive for Borthwick than they did at this stage.
Squad Depth and Future Planning
Borthwick gives the impression that, with time remaining from the World Cup, he knows the vast majority of the squad he will take to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the odd bolter. But there are not many current members of the squad who are not on track for the upcoming event.
That represents an benefit because it posed an issue for his predecessor, who found it difficult when it became apparent that veterans were not going to feature in his strategy. Borthwick seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, preventing the difficult beginning that affected the squad in the past.
Depth charts sound like they belong to seafarers of yesteryear, but coaches rely on them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, the team might be dealing with a loss after a heartbreaking late defeat. The fact they avoided that owes plenty to Ojomoh, fortune, and the quality of England's bench. As Borthwick plans the route to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can forgive the lack of quality of the recent display.