Ojomoh Provides Sparkling Highlight for England to Signify Arrival on Grand Platform.
This marks a interesting feature of England's autumn clean sweep that no new players earned their international debut during the series of matches, something not seen in 25 years. Yet, Max Ojomoh's display against the Argentine side while securing his second appearance seemed to be the arrival of a future star.
Star Display in Tight Victory
Ojomoh was the key player in what was the team's least convincing outing of the November series. He finished off the opening touchdown before setting up the other two. The setup for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a exquisite cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the opening period. Likewise, his quick offload to Henry Slade for England's third try was equally impressive, concluding a excellent debut performance at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.
He has the sort of versatile skillset that all coaches desire from their midfield player. He can run, kick and pass, and he has featured at fly-half and at both centre positions for his club this campaign.
Quick Rise and Future Prospects
It is just a little over a week since the head coach could have believed he had discovered his centre partnership for the future. But, the best compliment that can be paid to Ojomoh is that the coach may have to think again. Ojomoh was first called up to an national team previously, but had to bide his time until the last game of the overseas trip to make his debut. Fitness issues to other players created the opportunity for Ojomoh to start here, and he surely will be in consideration for a third cap when England regroup to begin their championship campaign in the new year.
- Multiple Abilities: Can play fly-half and centre.
- Crucial Input: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
- Important Performance: Delivered when others were injured.
Squad Background and Broader Implications
How would the team have fared against Argentina without Ojomoh? Certainly they rode their luck and maybe it is no coincidence that he was their best player. England showed an natural decline in energy following a major win over New Zealand. Maybe Borthwick ought to have freshened things up.
Some perspective is needed, though. It is tempting to lambast England for their failure to bring much urgency into this contest, or for almost throwing away a game they were dominating. However, this result marks a clean sweep of November matches for the first time since 2016. The year concludes with eleven consecutive victories after starting with a loss. The team is midway in the four-year tournament plan and things look considerably rosier for the coach than they did previously.
Squad Depth and Future Planning
Borthwick gives the impression that, with time remaining from the global tournament, he understands the core group of the team he will bring to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. But there are very few existing players of the squad who are not in contention for the upcoming event.
That represents an benefit because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who struggled when it became apparent that certain players were not going to play in his strategy. Borthwick seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, preventing the torrid start that affected the team in the previous cycle.
Player rankings sound like they are for seafarers of the past, but coaches swear by them and the coach can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, the team might be dealing with a loss after a heartbreaking narrow loss. That they were not owes plenty to the young star, luck, and the quality of England's bench. While the coach plots a course to the championship, he has wind in England's sails after 11 wins in a row, and therefore we can forgive the paucity of this performance.