Max Ojomoh Delivers Champagne Highlight for England to Signify Arrival on Grand Platform.
This marks a curious feature of England's November clean sweep that there were no debutants made their international debut throughout the series of matches, a scenario not seen in a quarter of a century. Yet, Max Ojomoh's showing against the Argentine side while securing his second cap felt like the arrival of a major talent.
Star Display in Hard-Fought Victory
He proved to be the star turn in what was the team's least convincing outing of the November series. He finished off the first try before setting up the other two. The setup for his teammate via a delightful long pass was the highlight play of the opening period. Similarly, his popped pass to the center for the team's final score was equally eye-catching, concluding a excellent first outing at the home stadium for the young player.
He has the kind of versatile skillset that all coaches desire from their inside-centre. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has featured at number ten and at multiple midfield roles for his club this season.
Quick Rise and Upcoming Prospects
Only a little over a week since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had discovered his midfield duo for the long term. But, the best compliment that can be paid to the young star is that Borthwick may have to think again. Ojomoh was first called up to an national team previously, but had to bide his time until the last game of the summer tour to make his debut. Fitness issues to teammates paved the way for Ojomoh to start here, and he surely will be in consideration for a further appearance when England reconvene to start their Six Nations quest in the new year.
- Versatile Skillset: Excels at fly-half and centre.
- Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and assisted two.
- Timely Impact: Delivered when teammates were unavailable.
Team Context and Broader Implications
How would England have fared against their opponents without him? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and perhaps it is not surprising 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 ought to have freshened things up.
Some perspective is needed, though. It is tempting to lambast the side for their failure to bring much urgency into this contest, or for nearly losing a game they were dominating. However, this outcome marks a clean sweep of four autumn fixtures for the initial occasion since 2016. 2025 concludes with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a loss. The team is midway in the World Cup cycle and things look considerably rosier for Borthwick than they did at this stage.
Player Pool and Future Planning
Borthwick appears that, two years out from the World Cup, he knows the vast majority of the team he will bring to Australia. Naturally, there will be the odd bolter. But there are very few existing players of the squad who are not on track for the upcoming event.
This is an advantage because it posed an issue for his predecessor, who struggled when it became apparent that certain players were not going to play in his plans. He seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, preventing the difficult beginning that affected the team in the past.
Depth charts sound like they are for seafarers of the past, but coaches rely on 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 the young star, luck, and the strength of the bench. As Borthwick plans the route to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after 11 wins in a row, and as a result we can forgive the lack of quality of the recent display.