🔗 Share this article

It is a curious feature of the English team's November clean sweep that there were no debutants earned their international debut throughout the recent campaign, something not seen in 25 years. However, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against the Argentine side while securing his second appearance seemed to be the arrival of a future star.

Standout Display in Tight Victory

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was the team's least convincing outing of the November series. He scored the opening touchdown before creating the other two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a exquisite cross-field kick was the highlight play of the opening period. Likewise, his popped pass to Henry Slade for England's third try was equally impressive, capping off a fine debut performance at Twickenham for the young player.

Ojomoh possesses the kind of triple threat that every manager desire from their midfield player. He can run, kick and pass, and he has appeared at number ten and at both centre positions for his club this season.

Rapid Ascent and Upcoming Opportunities

Only eight days since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had discovered his centre partnership for the future. But, the best compliment that can be paid to the young star is that the coach may have to think again. He was initially selected to an national team four years ago, but had to bide his time until the final match of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Injuries to other players paved the way for Ojomoh to start here, and he surely will be in consideration for a third cap when England reconvene to start their championship campaign in the coming months.

• Multiple Abilities: Can play number ten and midfield.
• Key Contributions: Scored one try and set up two more.
• Important Performance: Stepped up when teammates were unavailable.

Squad Background and Wider Implications

How would the team have fared against Argentina without Ojomoh? Certainly they had some fortune and perhaps it is not surprising that he was their best player. The team experienced an inevitable drop-off in energy following a significant victory over New Zealand. Maybe Borthwick should have made more changes.

Some perspective is required, though. One might be inclined to criticize England for their inability 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 initial occasion since 2016. 2025 concludes with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a loss. We are midway in the World Cup cycle and things look considerably rosier for the coach than they did previously.

Squad Depth and Future Planning

The manager gives the impression that, two years out from the global tournament, he understands the vast majority of the squad he will bring to the host nation. Of course, there will be the surprise inclusion. Yet there are very few current members of the roster who are not on track for the 2027 tournament.

That represents an benefit because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who struggled when it became apparent that certain players were not going to feature in his plans. Borthwick seems to have grasped the nettle earlier, avoiding the torrid beginning that plagued the team in the past.

Depth charts sound like they are for seafarers of yesteryear, but managers swear by them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. Under different circumstances, the team might be dealing with a loss after a gut-wrenching narrow loss. The fact they avoided that owes plenty to Ojomoh, luck, and the strength of England's substitutes. While the coach plots a course to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after an unbeaten run, and therefore we can overlook the lack of quality of this performance.