Max Ojomoh shrugged off his England disappointment to show complete enthusiasm over his place in Bath Rugby’s starting XV for their PREM Rugby Cup clash with visitors Bristol Bears on Saturday 14th February.
Max Ojomoh made an excellent performance for Bath Rugby in their PREM Rugby Cup win over Bristol Bears here at The Rec on Saturday 14th February | Photo © Richard Briggs
Versatile back Ojomoh – who won his first full international cap last summer, against the USA – spent two weeks training with England in the lead-up to this year’s Guinness Six Nations but was not called into head coach Steve Borthwick’s side.
His response was to phone the Blue, Black & White’s head of rugby Johann van Grann and discuss the benefits of playing in the PREM Cup derby.
And he made an excellent showing – including playing a groundbreaking role at full-back and making a stunning break that set up a try – as Bath stepped up their bid for a place in the semi-finals.
At the hosts’ press conference following the 33-24 victory at The Rec, Ojomoh said: “Good two weeks with England – so a week in Girona [in Spain], and then the Wales camp week. It was all right, to be fair.
“And then when I found out on Sunday [8th February] that I wasn’t coming in [to the England side], I got straight on the blower to Johann.
“We just decided that the best decision is to come back and play. And what better match to play in than a derby day, which you ended up winning at home with the lads that had been on fire, coming back from beating Sale away from home [on Sunday 8th February] and putting 60 points on them.
“[Previously] I’ve done six, seven weeks in the Six Nations having not played, and then come back to Bath – and trying to perform, having just trained, is actually very hard.
“So Johann and I agreed it was the best decision for me to try to get back on the pitch as soon as possible.
“Obviously you can’t just slot in seamlessly.
“It’s just great playing with those – and I can’t believe I’m saying this [because Ojomoh is only 25 years old] – young players, raring to go with a sellout crowd.
“It’s great to be a part of and try to learn some new things with leadership and try to put my stamp on a game.”
As for possibly rejoining the England set-up later in the Six Nations campaign, Ojomoh said: “It’s all down to Steve [Borthwick, England’s head coach].
“If it happens, it happens. If not, so be it, I’m happy to be with Bath, to be honest.”
Of the capacity crowd of 14,509 who packed into The Rec for the Valentine’s Day encounter, Ojomoh said: “Four years ago we were last. We’re playing Quins at home and we’ve lost 12 on the bounce and we’re still selling it out.
“It’s a testament to the support we’ve got.
“I’d argue we’ve got one of [the best fanbases], if not the best fanbase in the league.”
Ojomoh broke new ground against the Bears, playing at full-back for the first time in his career during the second half – and he realised that experience can only enhance his reputation.
“I’m slowly ticking off all the positions,” he joked, adding: “I actually enjoyed it. We trialled it in the week.
“We never actually said that I was going to go there, but I’d say versatility is valuable with how the salary cap is.
“So I always say to Johann, ‘If I’m on the pitch, I’ll kind of free-roam’.
“I’m just happy to be out there, to be honest.
“Look at the competition we’ve got on the back-line, and we’ve got a six-two bench most weeks.
“I think you have to be versatile to get in this team, and to win is the best way, in my opinion.
“So if that involves me playing full-back 10, 12, 13, I don’t really care, I’m happy.”
