🔗 Share this article

It is a curious aspect of the English team's autumn perfect record that no new players made their international debut during the recent campaign, something not seen in 25 years. Yet, the performance of Max Ojomoh display against Argentina while securing his second cap felt like the arrival of a future star.

Star Display in Tight Victory

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was the team's most challenging performance of the autumn. He finished off the opening touchdown before creating the other two. His assist for his teammate via a delightful cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the first half. Likewise, his quick offload to Henry Slade for the team's final score was equally eye-catching, concluding a fine first outing at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.

He has the kind of triple threat that every manager would want from their midfield player. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has appeared at fly-half and at both centre positions for his club this season.

Rapid Rise and Upcoming Prospects

It is just a little over a week since the head coach could have believed he had finally unearthed his midfield duo for the future. But, the best compliment that can be given to Ojomoh is that Borthwick might need to think again. He was initially selected to an England squad previously, but had to wait until the final match of the overseas trip to make his debut. Fitness issues to teammates created the opportunity for him to begin here, and he surely will be in consideration for a third cap when the squad regroup to begin their Six Nations campaign in the coming months.

• Versatile Skillset: Can play number ten and midfield.
• Crucial Input: Notched a touchdown and assisted two.
• Timely Impact: Delivered when teammates were injured.

Squad Context and Broader Significance

Where might England have fared against their opponents without him? Undoubtedly they rode their luck and maybe it is not surprising that he was their standout performer. The team experienced an natural decline in intensity following a significant victory over New Zealand. Perhaps Borthwick ought to have freshened things up.

A balanced view is required, however. One might be inclined to criticize England for their failure to bring much urgency into this contest, or for nearly losing a fixture they were dominating. But, this outcome marks a perfect record of November matches for the initial occasion since 2016. 2025 concludes with 11 straight wins after starting with a loss. We are halfway through the World Cup cycle and the situation look considerably rosier for the coach than they did at this stage.

Player Pool and Future Planning

The manager gives the impression that, two years out from the World Cup, he knows the vast majority of the squad he will bring to Australia. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. Yet there are not many existing players of the squad who are not in contention for the upcoming event.

This is an advantage because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who found it difficult when it was clear that certain players were not going to feature in his plans. He seems to have taken action sooner, preventing the torrid start that affected the team in the previous cycle.

Player rankings sound like they belong to sailors of the past, but managers rely on them and the coach can be happy with his. On another day, England might be nursing their wounds after a gut-wrenching late defeat. The fact they avoided that owes plenty to the young star, luck, and the strength of England's bench. As 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 paucity of the recent display.