Max Ojomoh Provides Champagne Highlight for England to Mark Arrival on Grand Platform.
It is a interesting feature of the English team's November clean sweep that there were no debutants earned their first cap throughout the series of matches, a scenario not seen in 25 years. Yet, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against the Argentine side while securing his second appearance felt like the arrival of a major talent.
Star Display in Hard-Fought Win
He proved to be the key player in what was England's least convincing outing of the November series. 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 first half. Likewise, his quick offload to the center for the team's final score was just as impressive, capping off a excellent debut performance at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.
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 number ten and at both centre positions for his club this season.
Rapid Ascent and Upcoming Prospects
Only a little over a week since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had finally unearthed his midfield duo for the long term. But, 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. Injuries 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 begin their Six Nations campaign in the coming months.
- Multiple Abilities: Can play number ten and midfield.
- Crucial Input: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
- Timely Impact: Stepped up when others were unavailable.
Squad Background and Wider Implications
How would England have fared against Argentina without him? Undoubtedly they had some fortune and maybe it is not surprising that he was their best player. The team experienced an natural decline in energy following a significant victory over New Zealand. Perhaps the coach ought to have made more changes.
Some perspective is needed, though. One might be inclined to criticize the side for their failure to bring much urgency into this match, or for nearly losing a fixture they were dominating. But, this outcome completes a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the first time since 2016. 2025 ends with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a defeat. The team is midway in the World Cup cycle and things look considerably rosier for Borthwick than they did previously.
Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy
The manager gives the impression that, with time remaining from the global tournament, he knows the vast majority of the squad he will bring to Australia. Naturally, there will be the surprise inclusion. Yet there are not many current members of the squad who are not on track for the upcoming event.
That represents an advantage because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who struggled when it became apparent that veterans were not going to play in his plans. He seems to have taken action earlier, avoiding the torrid start that affected the team in the previous cycle.
Depth charts seem like they are for seafarers of yesteryear, but managers rely on them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. On another day, the team might be nursing their wounds after a gut-wrenching narrow loss. That they were not is largely due to Ojomoh, luck, and the quality of the substitutes. As Borthwick plots a course to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can overlook the lack of quality of the recent display.