Ojomoh Provides Champagne Highlight for England to Mark Emergence on Grand Platform.
It is a interesting aspect of England's November clean sweep that there were no debutants earned their first cap throughout the series of matches, something not seen in a quarter of a century. However, Max Ojomoh's showing against the Argentine side while securing his second cap seemed to be the arrival of a major talent.
Star Display in Tight Victory
Ojomoh was the star turn in what was the team's most challenging outing of the November series. He finished off the opening touchdown before creating the remaining two. The setup for his teammate via a exquisite cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the opening period. Similarly, his popped pass to Henry Slade for the team's final score was just as impressive, concluding a fine debut performance at the home stadium for the young player.
Ojomoh possesses the kind of versatile skillset that every manager would want from their midfield player. He can run, kick and pass, and he has appeared at fly-half and at both centre positions for his club this season.
Quick Ascent and Future Opportunities
Only eight days since Steve Borthwick could have believed he had discovered his centre partnership for the future. However, the highest praise that can be paid to Ojomoh is that the coach may have to reconsider. Ojomoh was first called up to an England squad previously, but had to bide his time until the last game of the summer tour to make his debut. Injuries to other players created the opportunity for Ojomoh to begin here, and he undoubtedly will be in consideration for a third cap when England regroup to begin their championship campaign in the coming months.
- Multiple Abilities: Can play fly-half and midfield.
- Key Contributions: Scored one try and assisted two.
- Timely Impact: Delivered when others were unavailable.
Team Context and Wider Significance
Where might England have been against their opponents without him? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and perhaps it is not surprising that he was their best player. The team showed an natural decline in energy following a major win over the All Blacks. Perhaps Borthwick ought to have freshened things up.
A balanced view is needed, though. It is tempting to lambast England for their failure to bring much urgency into this contest, or for almost throwing away a fixture they were dominating. However, this result marks a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the first time since recent years. 2025 ends with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a defeat. We are midway in the World Cup cycle and things look much more positive for the coach than they did at this stage.
Player Pool and Future Planning
The manager appears that, two years out from the World Cup, he knows the core group of the team he will take to Australia. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. But there are not many existing players of the squad who are not on track for the 2027 tournament.
This is an benefit because it was a problem for his preceding coach, who found it difficult when it became apparent that certain players were not going to feature in his strategy. Borthwick seems to have grasped the nettle earlier, preventing the difficult beginning that plagued the team in the previous cycle.
Player rankings seem like they belong to sailors of the past, but coaches rely on them and the coach can be happy with his. Under different circumstances, the team might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking late defeat. The fact they avoided that owes plenty to Ojomoh, fortune, and the quality of the bench. While Borthwick plans the route to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can forgive the lack of quality of the recent display.