🔗 Share this article

It is a interesting aspect of the English team's November clean sweep that there were no debutants made their international debut during the series of matches, something not seen in a quarter of a century. Yet, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against Argentina while earning his second appearance felt like the breakthrough of a major talent.

Standout Display in Hard-Fought Win

Ojomoh was the key player in what was England's least convincing performance of the autumn. He finished off the opening touchdown before creating the other two. The setup for his teammate via a delightful long pass was the champagne moment of the first half. Likewise, his popped pass to the center for the team's final score was just as impressive, capping off a excellent first outing at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.

Ojomoh possesses the kind of versatile skillset that every manager desire from their inside-centre. He can run, kick and pass, and he has featured at fly-half and at multiple midfield roles for Bath this season.

Quick Rise and Future Opportunities

It is just a little over a week since Steve Borthwick could have believed he had finally unearthed his midfield duo for the long term. However, the highest praise that can be given to Ojomoh is that the coach might need to reconsider. Ojomoh was first called up to an national team four years ago, but had to bide his time until the last game of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Injuries to other players paved the way for him to begin here, and he surely will be in consideration for a third cap when the squad regroup to begin their Six Nations campaign in the coming months.

• Multiple Abilities: Can play fly-half and midfield.
• Crucial Input: Scored one try and set up two more.
• Timely Impact: Delivered when teammates were injured.

Team Background and Broader Significance

Where might the team have been against Argentina without Ojomoh? Certainly they had some fortune and maybe it is no coincidence that he was their standout performer. England experienced an natural decline in energy following a major win over the All Blacks. Maybe Borthwick should have freshened things up.

Some perspective is needed, though. One might be inclined to lambast the side for their inability to inject much intensity into this contest, or for nearly losing a game they were dominating. But, this outcome completes a clean sweep of November matches for the initial occasion since 2016. 2025 concludes with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a loss. We are midway in the World Cup cycle and things look much more positive for the coach than they did previously.

Player Pool and Long-Term Strategy

Borthwick appears that, two years out from the global tournament, he knows the core group of the squad he will take to Australia. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. But there are not many 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 was clear that veterans were not going to play in his plans. He seems to have taken action earlier, preventing the torrid start that plagued the squad in the past.

Depth charts seem like they are for seafarers of yesteryear, but coaches swear by them and the coach can be satisfied with his. On another day, England might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking narrow loss. The fact they avoided that is largely due to Ojomoh, fortune, and the quality of England's substitutes. As Borthwick plots a course to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and therefore we can forgive the lack of quality of this performance.