It is a curious aspect of the English team's autumn clean sweep that no new players earned their first cap throughout the series of matches, something not seen in a quarter of a century. Yet, Max Ojomoh's display against Argentina while earning his second appearance felt like the breakthrough of a major talent.
Standout Performance in Hard-Fought Win
Ojomoh was the star turn in what was the team's least convincing performance of the November series. He scored the opening touchdown before creating the other two. The setup for his teammate via a delightful cross-field kick was the highlight play of the opening period. Likewise, his quick offload to the center for the team's final score was just as impressive, capping off a excellent first outing at the home stadium for the young player.
Ojomoh possesses the sort of versatile skillset that every manager would want 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.
Rapid Ascent and Upcoming Opportunities
It is just a little over a week since the head coach might have felt he had discovered his midfield duo for the long term. However, the highest praise that can be given to Ojomoh is that the coach might need to think again. He was initially selected to an England squad previously, but had to wait until the final match of the summer tour to make his debut. Fitness issues to teammates created the opportunity for him to begin here, and he surely will be in contention for a further appearance when the squad regroup to start their championship campaign in the new year.
- Versatile Skillset: Can play number ten and centre.
- Crucial Input: Notched a touchdown and assisted two.
- Important Performance: Delivered when teammates were injured.
Squad Background and Wider Significance
How would England have fared against their opponents without him? Undoubtedly they had some fortune and maybe it is no coincidence that he was their standout performer. England showed an natural decline in energy following a major win over the All Blacks. Maybe the coach should have freshened things up.
Some perspective is required, however. One might be inclined to criticize England for their failure to bring much urgency into this contest, or for nearly losing a game they were dominating. But, this outcome completes a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the first time since recent years. The year concludes with 11 straight wins after beginning with a loss. The team is halfway through the World Cup cycle and things look much more positive for Borthwick than they did previously.
Player Pool and Long-Term Strategy
The manager gives the impression that, two years out from the World Cup, he understands the vast majority of the squad he will bring to Australia. Naturally, there will be the odd bolter. But there are not many existing players of the roster who are not on track for the 2027 tournament.
This is an advantage 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. He seems to have grasped the nettle earlier, preventing the difficult start that plagued the squad in the previous cycle.
Depth charts seem like they are for sailors of the past, but coaches swear by them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, England might be nursing their wounds after a gut-wrenching narrow loss. That they were not owes plenty to the young star, luck, and the quality of the bench. While the coach plots a course to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and therefore we can forgive the lack of quality of the recent display.
