Ojomoh Provides Champagne Highlight for England to Mark Arrival on Big Stage.
It is a curious aspect of England's autumn clean sweep that there were no debutants made their first cap throughout the series of matches, a scenario not seen in 25 years. However, Max Ojomoh's display against Argentina while earning his second appearance felt like the arrival of a future star.
Star Performance in Tight Win
Ojomoh was the key player in what was the team's least convincing performance of the autumn. He scored the first try before creating the remaining two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a exquisite cross-field kick was the highlight play of the opening period. Similarly, his popped pass to the center for England's third try was just as impressive, concluding a fine first outing at Twickenham for the young player.
He has the kind of versatile skillset that all coaches desire from their midfield player. He can run, kick and pass, and he has appeared at number ten and at both centre positions for Bath this season.
Quick Rise and Future Opportunities
It is just eight days since the head coach could have believed he had discovered his centre partnership for the future. However, the highest praise that can be paid to Ojomoh is that Borthwick might need to reconsider. He was first called up to an national team previously, but had to bide his time until the last game of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to other players created the opportunity for him to begin here, and he undoubtedly will be in contention for a third cap when the squad reconvene to start their championship quest in the new year.
- Multiple Abilities: Excels at number ten and midfield.
- Crucial Input: Scored one try and set up two more.
- Timely Impact: Delivered when teammates were injured.
Team Background and Wider Implications
Where might England have been against Argentina without Ojomoh? Certainly they had some fortune and perhaps it is not surprising that he was their best player. The team showed an natural decline in energy following a major win over New Zealand. Perhaps Borthwick ought to have made more changes.
A balanced view is needed, though. It is tempting to criticize England for their inability to inject much urgency into this match, or for almost throwing away a fixture they were controlling. However, this result marks a clean sweep of November matches for the first time since recent years. The year ends with eleven consecutive victories after starting with a defeat. We are midway in the four-year tournament plan and things look much more positive for Borthwick than they did at this stage.
Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy
Borthwick appears that, two years out from the World Cup, he knows the core group of the squad he will take to Australia. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. But there are not many current members of the roster who are not in contention for the upcoming event.
That represents an benefit because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who found it difficult when it became apparent that certain players were not going to feature in his strategy. He seems to have taken action earlier, avoiding the torrid start that plagued the team in the previous cycle.
Depth charts sound like they belong to seafarers of yesteryear, but managers swear by them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. On another day, 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. As the coach plans the route to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after 11 wins in a row, and therefore we can forgive the paucity of the recent display.