🔗 Share this article

This marks a curious feature of the English team's autumn perfect record that no new players earned their first cap during the series of matches, something not seen in a quarter of a century. However, the performance of Max Ojomoh display against Argentina while earning his second cap felt like the arrival of a major talent.

Star Performance in Tight Victory

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was the team's least convincing outing of the autumn. He scored the first try before creating the other two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a delightful cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the opening period. Similarly, his popped pass to the center for the team's final score was equally impressive, concluding a excellent first outing at Twickenham for the young player.

Ojomoh possesses the sort of versatile skillset that all coaches would want from their inside-centre. 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 Upcoming Opportunities

It is just eight days since the head coach could have believed he had finally unearthed his centre partnership for the long term. But, the highest praise that can be paid to Ojomoh is that the coach may have to think again. Ojomoh was initially selected to an England squad four years ago, but had to bide his time until the final match of the overseas trip to earn his first cap. Injuries to other players paved the way for him to start here, and he undoubtedly will be in consideration for a third cap when England regroup to start their Six Nations quest in the coming months.

• Multiple Abilities: Can play number ten and midfield.
• Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and assisted two.
• Important Performance: Delivered when teammates were injured.

Team Background and Wider Significance

How would the team have fared against Argentina without Ojomoh? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and perhaps it is no coincidence that he was their best player. The team showed an natural decline in intensity following a significant victory over the All Blacks. Maybe Borthwick should have made more changes.

Some perspective is needed, though. It is tempting to criticize the side for their inability to inject much urgency into this contest, or for nearly losing a game they were controlling. However, this outcome completes a clean sweep of November matches for the first time since 2016. The year ends with eleven consecutive victories after starting with a defeat. The team is midway in the World Cup cycle and the situation look much more positive for the coach than they did previously.

Player Pool and Long-Term Strategy

The manager appears that, with time remaining from the global tournament, he knows the core group of the squad he will bring to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. Yet there are not many existing players of the squad who are not on track 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 veterans were not going to play in his plans. Borthwick seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, preventing the difficult beginning that affected the team in the previous cycle.

Depth charts seem like they belong to sailors of yesteryear, but coaches rely on them and Borthwick can be happy with his. Under different circumstances, the team might be nursing their wounds after a gut-wrenching late defeat. That they were not owes plenty to the young star, fortune, and the strength of the substitutes. While 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.