🔗 Share this article

This marks a curious feature of England's November clean sweep that no new players made their first cap throughout the recent campaign, something not seen in a quarter of a century. However, the performance of Max Ojomoh display against Argentina while securing his second cap seemed to be the breakthrough of a future star.

Star Display in Hard-Fought Victory

He proved to be the key player in what was England's most challenging outing of the autumn. He scored the first try before creating the remaining two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a delightful cross-field kick was the highlight play of the opening period. Similarly, his quick offload to Henry Slade for the team's final score was just as impressive, concluding a excellent debut performance at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.

He has the kind of triple threat that all coaches would want from their midfield player. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has featured at number ten and at both centre positions for Bath this campaign.

Quick Ascent and Future Prospects

It is just a little over a week since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had discovered his midfield duo for the long term. However, the best compliment that can be paid to the young star is that the coach may have to think again. Ojomoh was initially selected to an national team four years ago, but had to wait until the last game of the overseas trip to earn his first cap. Injuries to teammates paved the way for Ojomoh to start here, and he undoubtedly will be in contention for a third cap when the squad regroup to start their championship campaign in the new year.

• Versatile Skillset: Can play fly-half and midfield.
• Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
• Important Performance: Stepped up when teammates were unavailable.

Squad Context and Wider Significance

How would England have fared against their opponents without Ojomoh? Undoubtedly they had some fortune and maybe it is no coincidence that he was their standout performer. England showed an natural decline in energy following a significant victory over New Zealand. Maybe the coach should have made more changes.

A balanced view is required, however. It is tempting to lambast England for their failure to inject much urgency into this contest, or for almost throwing away a game they were controlling. However, this result marks a perfect record of November matches for the initial occasion since 2016. 2025 concludes with eleven consecutive victories after starting with a defeat. The team is midway in the World Cup cycle and the situation look considerably rosier for the coach than they did previously.

Squad Depth and Future Planning

The manager gives the impression that, with time remaining from the World Cup, 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 existing players of the squad who are not in contention for the upcoming event.

This is an advantage because it was a problem for his preceding coach, who struggled when it became apparent that veterans were not going to feature in his strategy. Borthwick seems to have taken action sooner, avoiding the torrid beginning that plagued the squad in the past.

Player rankings sound like they are for sailors of the past, but coaches swear by them and the coach can be happy with his. Under different circumstances, England might be nursing their wounds after a gut-wrenching narrow loss. That they were not owes plenty to Ojomoh, luck, and the strength of England's substitutes. While the coach plots a course to the championship, he has wind in England's sails after 11 wins in a row, and as a result we can forgive the paucity of this performance.