England forced into late change for Argentina clash after starter ruled out

“Unfortunately, Fraser Dingwall picked up a side injury during the game [last week]. We thought he was going to be alright but he has not quite made it for this one. It’s nothing serious. So, Max Ojomoh comes straight into the starting team at 12. That’s the change this week.”

“Definitely. There were numerous things we could have done, when looking at where we might be in the future in terms of having to cover. It’s a starting berth and we have someone of Max’s quality who has played so well for Bath for an extended period of time, then started the season well, been in and around the squad, he’s the guy who deserves the opportunity and we feel like he’s ready to take the next step.”

“He’s an elite-level attacker, in terms of his ball movement, his vision, how he connects on the run. You take a lot of opportunities when he’s out there and he’s improved his movement off the ball; the other side of the ball, he’s improving all the time. You see the teams that he plays in, how much better he makes them when they’ve got the ball and I expect him to bring that to our team this Sunday.”

“A good challenge for us, isn’t it? It’s not something that you’re ever really able to plan for, the amount of changes and injuries that happen. That’s sport, isn’t it? That’s why we’ve got a squad. You have these 36-man squads and I think the players have come out and said what an effort it’s been from everyone in this period—and it has.

The standard of training has been outstanding, their application. So, when you flip it around, you’re really excited for Henry Slade, who has started the season so well and has trained so well; as a senior guy who misses out, that’s not easy. But he’s just done his work, got his head down, helped prep the team, and he gets his chance.

It’s the same with Max: on the cusp but you’re not quite getting the nod and then you get to start a Test at Twickenham when we know he’s capable.”**

“The structures of what we do will be in keeping, in terms of how we attack and defend, but they have to put their stamp on what they do: their strengths. I’ve talked about Max’s strengths but Sladey runs, covers so much ground, so those guys should complement each other well. It’s a new partnership, but one we’re excited to see.”

“Fraser didn’t quite get through training—we thought he would be alright—so he trained there on Wednesday, ready for this situation.”