Max Ojomoh Delivers Sparkling Highlight for England to Mark Arrival on Grand Platform.
This marks a interesting feature of the English team's autumn clean sweep that no new players made their international debut during the series of matches, a scenario not seen in 25 years. However, the performance of Max Ojomoh display against the Argentine side while earning his second appearance felt like the breakthrough of a future star.
Standout Performance in Hard-Fought Victory
He proved to be the star turn 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 his teammate via a exquisite cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the opening period. Likewise, his popped pass to the center for England's final score was equally eye-catching, capping off a fine first outing at Twickenham for the young player.
Ojomoh possesses the kind of versatile skillset that all coaches would want from their inside-centre. He can run, kick and pass, and he has featured at fly-half and at both centre positions for Bath this campaign.
Quick Rise and Future Prospects
Only a little over a week since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had discovered his midfield duo for the long term. However, the highest praise that can be given to the young star is that Borthwick might need to think again. Ojomoh was initially selected to an England squad four years ago, but had to wait until the last game of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to other players created the opportunity for him to start here, and he surely will be in contention for a third cap when England reconvene to begin their Six Nations quest in the new year.
- Multiple Abilities: Can play fly-half and centre.
- Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
- Important Performance: Stepped up when teammates were injured.
Team Background and Wider Significance
How would the team have been against Argentina without him? Certainly they had some fortune and perhaps it is no coincidence that he was their best player. England experienced an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a significant victory over the All Blacks. Perhaps Borthwick should have freshened things up.
A balanced view is required, however. It is tempting to criticize the side for their failure to inject much intensity into this match, or for nearly losing a fixture they were dominating. However, this outcome marks a perfect record of November matches for the first time since 2016. The year ends with 11 straight wins after starting with a defeat. We are midway in the four-year tournament plan and things look considerably rosier for Borthwick than they did previously.
Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy
Borthwick gives the impression that, with time remaining from the World Cup, he knows the core group of the team he will take to Australia. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. Yet there are very few existing players of the squad who are not on track for the upcoming event.
This is an benefit because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who struggled when it became apparent that veterans were not going to feature in his plans. Borthwick seems to have taken action earlier, avoiding the torrid start that affected the team in the past.
Depth charts seem like they are for sailors of yesteryear, but managers swear by them and the coach can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, England might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking late defeat. That they were not owes plenty to Ojomoh, luck, and the strength of the substitutes. As the coach plots a course 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.