This marks a interesting aspect 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. Yet, Max Ojomoh's showing against the Argentine side while securing his second appearance felt like the breakthrough of a future star.
Ojomoh was the star turn in what was the team's most challenging outing of the November series. He finished off the first try before setting up the remaining two. His assist for his teammate via a exquisite long pass was the champagne moment of the first half. Similarly, his quick offload to the center for the team's final score was just as eye-catching, concluding a fine first outing at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.
He has the kind of versatile skillset that all coaches 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 Bath this campaign.
It is just a little over a week since the head coach could have believed he had finally unearthed his midfield duo for the future. However, the highest praise that can be given to the young star is that the coach may have to reconsider. He was initially selected to an England squad previously, but had to wait until the last game of the summer tour to make his debut. Fitness issues to other players created the opportunity for Ojomoh to start here, and he undoubtedly will be in contention for a third cap when the squad regroup to begin their Six Nations quest in the coming months.
Where might England have fared against Argentina without Ojomoh? Certainly they rode their luck and maybe it is no coincidence that he was their standout performer. The team experienced an natural decline in intensity following a major win over the All Blacks. Maybe the coach should have made more changes.
A balanced view is required, though. It is tempting to lambast England for their failure to bring much urgency into this contest, or for almost throwing away a fixture they were dominating. However, this outcome completes a perfect record of November matches for the first time since 2016. The year ends with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a loss. We are midway in the World Cup cycle and things look considerably rosier for the coach than they did previously.
Borthwick gives the impression that, with time remaining from the World Cup, he knows the core group of the squad he will bring to Australia. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. But there are not many existing players of the squad who are not on track for the 2027 tournament.
That represents an benefit because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who found it difficult when it became apparent that certain players were not going to feature in his plans. He seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, preventing the torrid start that affected the squad in the previous cycle.
Player rankings seem like they are for seafarers of yesteryear, but coaches rely on them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, the team might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking narrow loss. The fact they avoided that is largely due to the young star, fortune, and the quality of England's bench. While the coach plans the route to the championship, he has positive momentum after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can overlook the paucity of the recent display.
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