🔗 Share this article

It is a interesting feature of the English team's November clean sweep that no new players made their first cap throughout the recent campaign, something not seen in 25 years. Yet, Max Ojomoh's display against Argentina while earning his second appearance felt like the arrival of a future star.

Star Display in Tight Victory

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was England's least convincing outing of the November series. He scored the first try before setting up the remaining two. His assist for his teammate via a exquisite long pass was the highlight play of the opening period. Similarly, his popped pass to the center for England's final score was equally impressive, capping off a excellent debut performance at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.

Ojomoh possesses the kind of triple threat that all coaches desire from their inside-centre. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has featured at number ten and at both centre positions for Bath this campaign.

Rapid Rise and Upcoming Opportunities

It is just eight days since Steve Borthwick could have believed he had discovered his centre partnership for the long term. However, the best compliment that can be paid to Ojomoh is that the coach may have to reconsider. Ojomoh was initially selected to an England squad previously, but had to wait until the last game of the overseas trip to make his debut. Fitness issues to teammates paved the way for him to begin here, and he undoubtedly will be in contention for a further appearance when the squad reconvene to begin their Six Nations campaign in the new year.

• Versatile Skillset: Excels at number ten and midfield.
• Crucial Input: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
• Timely Impact: Stepped up when others were injured.

Squad Context and Wider Implications

Where might England have fared against their opponents without him? Certainly they had some fortune and perhaps it is no coincidence that he was their standout performer. England showed an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a major win over the All Blacks. Perhaps the coach should have freshened things up.

Some perspective is needed, though. One might be inclined to criticize England for their failure to bring much intensity into this match, or for nearly losing a fixture they were controlling. However, this outcome marks a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the initial occasion since recent years. 2025 ends with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a loss. The team is midway in the four-year tournament plan and the situation look considerably rosier for the coach than they did at this stage.

Player Pool and Future Planning

Borthwick appears that, with time remaining from the World Cup, he understands the vast majority of the team he will bring to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the odd bolter. Yet there are very few current members of the squad who are not on track for the upcoming event.

That represents an advantage because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who struggled when it became apparent that certain players were not going to feature in his strategy. He seems to have taken action sooner, preventing the difficult beginning that affected the team in the previous cycle.

Player rankings sound like they are for sailors of the past, but managers swear by them and Borthwick can be happy with his. Under different circumstances, the team might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking late defeat. That they were not is largely due to Ojomoh, fortune, and the quality of the bench. While Borthwick plans the route to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after an unbeaten run, and therefore we can overlook the paucity of the recent display.