Ojomoh Provides Champagne Highlight for English Side to Mark Arrival on Big Stage.
It is a curious aspect of England's November perfect record that no new players earned their international debut throughout the recent campaign, a scenario not seen in a quarter of a century. However, Max Ojomoh's showing against Argentina while earning his second appearance felt like the breakthrough of a major talent.
Star Display in Tight Win
He proved to be the key player in what was England's most challenging outing of the November series. He finished off the first try before setting up the other two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a delightful cross-field kick was the highlight play of the first half. Similarly, his quick offload to Henry Slade for England's final score was just as impressive, capping off a fine first outing at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.
He has the kind of triple threat that every manager would want from their midfield player. He can run, kick and pass, and he has appeared at number ten and at multiple midfield roles for Bath this season.
Rapid Ascent and Upcoming Opportunities
Only a little over a week since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had discovered his midfield duo for the future. But, the best compliment that can be given to the young star is that the coach might need to think again. He was first called up to an national team four years ago, but had to wait until the last game of the overseas trip to make his debut. Fitness issues to other players paved the way for him to begin here, and he surely will be in consideration for a third cap when England regroup to begin their Six Nations quest in the coming months.
- Multiple Abilities: Excels at number ten and midfield.
- Crucial Input: Scored one try and set up two more.
- Important Performance: Delivered when others were injured.
Team Background and Wider Significance
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. England experienced an natural decline in intensity following a significant victory over New Zealand. Perhaps Borthwick should have freshened things up.
A balanced view is needed, however. It is tempting to lambast the side for their inability to inject much intensity into this match, or for nearly losing a game they were dominating. But, this result marks a perfect record of November matches for the first time since recent years. The year concludes with eleven consecutive victories after starting with a defeat. We are midway in the four-year tournament plan and things look considerably rosier for the coach than they did previously.
Squad Depth and Future Planning
The manager appears that, with time remaining from the global tournament, he knows the core group of the team he will take to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. Yet there are very few current members of the roster who are not on track for the upcoming event.
That represents an advantage because it was a problem for his preceding coach, who found it difficult when it was clear that certain players 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 previous cycle.
Depth charts sound like they are for seafarers of yesteryear, but managers rely on them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, England might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking narrow loss. The fact they avoided that owes plenty to the young star, luck, and the quality of the substitutes. 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 overlook the lack of quality of this performance.