🔗 Share this article

It is a curious feature of England's autumn clean sweep that no new players 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 the Argentine side while earning his second cap felt like the arrival of a future star.

Star Display in Tight Win

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was England's least convincing outing of the November series. He finished off the first try before setting up the other two. His assist for his teammate via a exquisite cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the opening period. Similarly, his popped pass to the center for the team's final score 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 inside-centre. He can run, kick and pass, and he has featured at fly-half and at both centre positions for his club this campaign.

Rapid Rise and Upcoming Prospects

It is just a little over a week since the head coach might have felt he had finally unearthed his centre partnership for the long term. But, the best compliment that can be given to the young star 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 last game of the summer tour to make his debut. Fitness issues to other players created the opportunity for him to start here, and he undoubtedly will be in contention for a third cap when England reconvene to begin their championship quest in the coming months.

• Multiple Abilities: Can play fly-half and midfield.
• Key Contributions: Scored one try and assisted two.
• Important Performance: Delivered when teammates were unavailable.

Squad Background and Broader Significance

Where might England have fared against Argentina without Ojomoh? Certainly they rode their luck and maybe it is no coincidence that he was their standout performer. The team showed an natural decline in intensity following a major win over the All Blacks. Perhaps Borthwick ought to have freshened things up.

A balanced view is needed, however. One might be inclined to criticize England for their inability to inject much urgency into this match, or for almost throwing away a game they were controlling. But, this outcome marks a clean sweep of November matches for the first time since recent years. 2025 concludes with 11 straight wins after starting with a defeat. The team is midway in the four-year tournament plan and the situation look much more positive for Borthwick than they did previously.

Squad Depth and Future Planning

Borthwick appears that, with time remaining from the World Cup, he knows the core group of the squad he will take to Australia. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. Yet there are not many existing players of the roster who are not on track for the 2027 tournament.

This is an advantage because it posed an issue for his predecessor, who found it difficult when it was clear that certain players were not going to feature in his strategy. He seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, preventing the torrid beginning that affected the squad in the previous cycle.

Depth charts seem like they belong to 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 narrow loss. The fact they avoided that is largely due to Ojomoh, luck, and the quality of the substitutes. As the coach plans the route to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can overlook the paucity of the recent display.