🔗 Share this article

This marks a interesting feature of the English team's autumn clean sweep that there were no debutants earned their international debut throughout the recent campaign, a scenario not seen in 25 years. Yet, Max Ojomoh's showing against Argentina while earning his second cap felt like the breakthrough of a major talent.

Standout Performance in Hard-Fought Win

Ojomoh was the key player in what was the team's most challenging performance of the autumn. He finished off 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 eye-catching, concluding a fine first outing at Twickenham for the young player.

Ojomoh possesses the sort of triple threat that every manager desire from their midfield player. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has featured 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 midfield duo for the future. However, the best compliment that can be paid to Ojomoh is that Borthwick may have to think again. He was initially selected to an England squad four years ago, but had to wait until the final match of the summer tour to make his debut. Injuries to other players paved the way for him to start here, and he surely will be in contention for a further appearance when England regroup to begin their championship campaign in the coming months.

• Multiple Abilities: Excels at fly-half and centre.
• Crucial Input: Scored one try and set up two more.
• Important Performance: Stepped up when others were injured.

Team Context and Broader Significance

How would the team have been against Argentina without Ojomoh? Undoubtedly they had some fortune and perhaps it is no coincidence that he was their best player. The team showed an natural decline in energy following a significant victory over New Zealand. Maybe Borthwick ought to have made more changes.

Some perspective is required, though. One might be inclined to lambast England for their inability to bring much intensity into this contest, or for almost throwing away a game they were dominating. However, this outcome marks a clean sweep of four autumn fixtures for the initial occasion since 2016. 2025 ends with 11 straight wins after beginning with a loss. We are midway in the four-year tournament plan and the situation look considerably rosier for the coach than they did at this stage.

Squad Depth and Future Planning

The manager appears 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. But there are very few current members of the squad who are not in contention for the upcoming event.

That represents an benefit because it was a problem for his predecessor, who found it difficult when it became apparent that certain players were not going to feature in his strategy. He seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, avoiding the difficult start that affected the squad in the past.

Depth charts seem like they belong to seafarers of yesteryear, but managers rely on them and Borthwick can be happy with his. Under different circumstances, England might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking narrow loss. That they were not owes plenty to Ojomoh, luck, and the quality of the bench. While the coach plots a course to the championship, he has wind in England's sails after 11 wins in a row, and therefore we can overlook the paucity of the recent display.