🔗 Share this article

It is a curious feature of the English team's November perfect record that there were no debutants made their international debut during the recent campaign, something not seen in a quarter of a century. Yet, Max Ojomoh's showing against the Argentine side while securing his second appearance felt like the arrival of a major talent.

Star Display in Tight Victory

He proved to be the star turn in what was the team's least convincing outing of the November series. He finished off the first try before setting up the remaining two. The setup for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a exquisite long pass was the highlight play of the opening period. Similarly, his popped pass to the center for the team's final score was just as eye-catching, capping off a excellent first outing at the home stadium for the young player.

Ojomoh possesses the kind of versatile skillset that every manager desire from their midfield player. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has appeared at fly-half and at both centre positions for his club this campaign.

Rapid Ascent and Upcoming Prospects

Only a little over a week since the head coach could have believed he had finally unearthed his midfield duo for the long term. However, the highest praise that can be paid to Ojomoh is that Borthwick may have to think again. Ojomoh was initially selected to an England squad previously, but had to bide his time until the last game of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to teammates created the opportunity for Ojomoh to begin here, and he surely will be in contention for a further appearance when England reconvene to start their Six Nations quest in the new year.

• Versatile Skillset: Can play fly-half and centre.
• Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
• Important Performance: Delivered when teammates were injured.

Squad Context and Wider Implications

Where might England have fared against their opponents without Ojomoh? Certainly they rode their luck and maybe it is not surprising that he was their standout performer. The team experienced an natural decline in intensity following a major win over New Zealand. Maybe Borthwick should have made more changes.

Some perspective is needed, however. It is tempting to lambast the side for their inability to bring much intensity into this contest, or for almost throwing away a game they were dominating. However, this result completes a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the initial occasion since recent years. The year concludes with 11 straight wins after starting with a loss. The team is midway in the World Cup cycle and things look much more positive for Borthwick than they did previously.

Player Pool and Future Planning

The manager gives the impression that, with time remaining from the World Cup, he knows the core group of the team he will bring to Australia. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. Yet there are not many current members of the roster who are not in contention for the upcoming event.

That represents an benefit because it was a problem for his predecessor, who found it difficult when it became apparent that veterans were not going to play in his plans. He seems to have taken action earlier, preventing the difficult start that plagued the team in the previous cycle.

Player rankings seem like they belong to seafarers of the past, but managers rely on them and the coach can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, the team might be nursing their wounds after a gut-wrenching narrow loss. That they were not is largely due to Ojomoh, luck, and the quality of the substitutes. While Borthwick plans the route to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after 11 wins in a row, and as a result we can forgive the paucity of this performance.