Max Ojomoh Provides Champagne Highlight for English Side to Mark Emergence on Big Stage.
This marks a interesting aspect of the English team's autumn perfect record that there were no debutants made their international debut during the series of matches, something not seen in 25 years. Yet, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against the Argentine side while earning his second appearance felt like the breakthrough of a major talent.
Standout Performance in Hard-Fought Victory
Ojomoh was the key player in what was the team's least convincing outing of the autumn. He scored the opening touchdown before setting up the remaining two. His assist for his teammate via a exquisite cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the first half. Likewise, his quick offload to Henry Slade for the team's third try was just as eye-catching, concluding a fine first outing at Twickenham for the young player.
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 appeared at fly-half and at both centre positions for Bath this season.
Rapid Ascent and Upcoming Opportunities
It is just a little over a week since the head coach 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 might need to reconsider. He was initially selected to an national team previously, but had to wait until the last game of the summer tour to make his debut. Fitness issues to teammates created the opportunity for Ojomoh to begin here, and he undoubtedly will be in contention for a further appearance when the squad regroup to start their championship campaign in the new year.
- Versatile Skillset: Excels at fly-half and midfield.
- Crucial Input: Scored one try and set up two more.
- Timely Impact: Delivered when others were unavailable.
Team Context and Broader Implications
Where might England have fared against their opponents without Ojomoh? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and perhaps it is no coincidence that he was their best player. England experienced an inevitable drop-off in energy following a major win over the All Blacks. Perhaps the coach ought to have made more changes.
Some perspective is required, however. It is tempting to criticize the side for their failure to inject much intensity into this match, or for nearly losing a game they were controlling. However, this outcome marks a clean sweep of November matches for the initial occasion since recent years. 2025 concludes with 11 straight wins after starting with a defeat. We are halfway through the World Cup cycle and the situation look considerably rosier for the coach than they did at this stage.
Squad Depth and Future Planning
Borthwick gives the impression that, with time remaining from the World Cup, he knows the vast majority of the team he will bring to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. But there are very few existing players of the roster who are not in contention for the 2027 tournament.
This is an benefit because it posed an issue for his predecessor, who struggled when it became apparent that veterans were not going to feature in his plans. He seems to have taken action sooner, avoiding the difficult beginning that plagued the team in the previous cycle.
Player rankings seem like they belong to seafarers of the past, but managers rely on them and the coach can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, England might be dealing with a loss after a heartbreaking late defeat. The fact they avoided that is largely due to Ojomoh, luck, and the strength of the substitutes. While the coach plans the route to the championship, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can forgive the paucity of this performance.