🔗 Share this article

It is a interesting feature of the English team's autumn clean sweep that there were no debutants earned their first cap throughout the recent campaign, a scenario not seen in a quarter of a century. Yet, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against Argentina while securing his second appearance felt like the arrival of a future star.

Star Display in Hard-Fought Win

He proved to be the key player in what was England's most challenging performance of the autumn. He finished off the first try before creating the other two. The setup for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a exquisite cross-field kick 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, capping off a fine first outing at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.

He has the sort of versatile skillset that every manager would want from their midfield player. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has featured at number ten and at multiple midfield roles for Bath this campaign.

Quick Ascent and Future Prospects

It is just eight days since Steve Borthwick could have believed he had finally unearthed his centre partnership for the long term. However, the best compliment that can be given to the young star 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 final match of the summer tour to make his debut. Fitness issues to teammates paved the way for Ojomoh to begin here, and he undoubtedly will be in consideration for a third cap when England reconvene to begin their Six Nations campaign in the new year.

• Multiple Abilities: Excels at fly-half and centre.
• Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
• Timely Impact: Delivered when teammates were unavailable.

Squad Background and Broader Significance

Where might the team have been against their opponents without Ojomoh? Undoubtedly they had some fortune and perhaps it is no coincidence that he was their standout performer. England showed an inevitable drop-off in energy following a major win over New Zealand. Maybe the coach ought to have made more changes.

Some perspective is needed, however. One might be inclined to lambast England for their inability to bring much intensity into this match, or for nearly losing a fixture they were controlling. But, this result completes a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the initial occasion since 2016. 2025 ends with 11 straight wins after starting with a loss. The team is 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 gives the impression that, two years out from the World Cup, he knows the vast majority of the team he will take to Australia. Naturally, there will be the odd bolter. Yet there are not many current members of the roster who are not in contention for the upcoming event.

That represents an benefit because it was a problem for his predecessor, who struggled when it was clear that certain players were not going to play in his strategy. Borthwick seems to have taken action earlier, preventing the torrid beginning that affected the squad in the past.

Depth charts seem like they belong to sailors of yesteryear, but coaches rely on them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, England might be nursing their wounds after a gut-wrenching narrow loss. The fact they avoided that owes plenty to the young star, fortune, and the quality of the bench. As the coach plots a course to the championship, he has positive momentum after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can forgive the paucity of this performance.