Ojomoh Delivers Champagne Highlight for England to Mark Arrival on Grand Platform.
This marks a curious feature of the English team's November clean sweep that there were no debutants earned their international debut during the recent campaign, something not seen in 25 years. Yet, Max Ojomoh's showing against the Argentine side while securing his second appearance felt like the breakthrough of a future star.
Star Performance in Tight Victory
He proved to be the key player in what was England's most challenging outing of the autumn. He finished off the first try before setting up the remaining two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a exquisite cross-field kick was the highlight play of the first half. Similarly, his popped pass to the center for the team's third try was just as eye-catching, concluding a fine debut performance at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.
Ojomoh possesses the sort of triple threat that every manager desire from their midfield player. He can run, kick and pass, and he has featured at fly-half and at multiple midfield roles for Bath this campaign.
Quick Ascent and Upcoming Opportunities
It is just eight days since Steve Borthwick could have believed he had discovered his midfield duo for the future. However, the best compliment that can be paid to Ojomoh is that the coach may have to think again. Ojomoh was first called up to an England squad four years ago, but had to wait until the final match of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to teammates paved the way for Ojomoh to start here, and he undoubtedly will be in consideration for a further appearance when England regroup to begin their Six Nations quest in the coming months.
- Multiple Abilities: Can play fly-half and midfield.
- Key Contributions: Scored one try and assisted two.
- Timely Impact: Stepped up when teammates were unavailable.
Squad Context and Broader Implications
Where might England have fared against their opponents without Ojomoh? Certainly they had some fortune and maybe it is not surprising that he was their standout performer. England experienced an inevitable drop-off in intensity following a significant victory over New Zealand. Maybe Borthwick should have made more changes.
A balanced view is needed, though. It is tempting to lambast England for their failure to bring much intensity into this contest, or for nearly losing a fixture they were controlling. But, this outcome completes a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the first time since 2016. 2025 ends with eleven consecutive victories after starting with a loss. We are halfway through the World Cup cycle and the situation look considerably rosier for the coach than they did at this stage.
Player Pool and Long-Term Strategy
Borthwick appears that, two years out from the global tournament, he understands the vast majority of the team he will take to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. Yet there are very few current members of the roster who are not on track for the upcoming event.
That represents an benefit because it was a problem for his preceding coach, who struggled when it was clear that veterans were not going to play in his strategy. He seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, avoiding the difficult start that affected the squad in the previous cycle.
Depth charts seem like they belong to seafarers 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 late defeat. That they were not is largely due to Ojomoh, fortune, and the strength of the substitutes. As the coach plots a course to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can overlook the paucity of this performance.