🔗 Share this article

This marks a curious feature of England's November perfect record that there were no debutants made their first cap during the recent campaign, something not seen in 25 years. Yet, Max Ojomoh's showing against Argentina while earning his second cap seemed to be the arrival of a future star.

Standout Performance in Hard-Fought Victory

Ojomoh was the key player in what was the team's most challenging outing of the autumn. He scored the first try before creating the remaining two. The setup for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a delightful long pass was the champagne moment of the first half. Likewise, his quick offload to the center for the team's third try was equally impressive, capping off a fine first outing at Twickenham for the young player.

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

Quick Rise and Upcoming Prospects

It is just a little over a week since the head coach could have believed he had finally unearthed his centre partnership for the future. However, the highest praise that can be paid to Ojomoh is that Borthwick may have to think again. He was initially selected to an national team four years ago, but had to bide his time until the last game of the summer tour to make his debut. Injuries to other players paved the way for Ojomoh to begin here, and he surely will be in contention for a further appearance when England reconvene to start their Six Nations campaign in the coming months.

• Versatile Skillset: Can play number ten and midfield.
• Crucial Input: Scored one try and assisted two.
• Timely Impact: Delivered when teammates were injured.

Team Background and Wider Implications

How would England have fared against Argentina without him? Undoubtedly they had some fortune and perhaps it is not surprising that he was their best player. England experienced an inevitable drop-off in energy following a major win over New Zealand. Perhaps Borthwick ought to have made more changes.

Some perspective is required, however. One might be inclined to criticize the side for their inability to bring much intensity into this match, or for nearly losing a game they were controlling. But, this outcome completes a perfect record of November matches for the initial occasion since recent years. 2025 ends with 11 straight wins after starting with a defeat. The team is halfway through the four-year tournament plan and things look much more positive for the coach than they did at this stage.

Squad Depth and Future Planning

The manager appears that, two years out from the World Cup, he understands the vast majority of the squad he will take to the host nation. Of course, there will be the surprise inclusion. Yet there are very few existing players of the squad who are not in contention for the 2027 tournament.

That represents an advantage because it posed an issue for his predecessor, who found it difficult when it was clear that veterans were not going to feature in his plans. Borthwick seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, avoiding the torrid beginning that plagued the squad in the previous cycle.

Depth charts seem like they belong to sailors 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 gut-wrenching narrow loss. That they were not is largely due to Ojomoh, luck, and the quality of England's bench. While Borthwick 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.