Ojomoh Delivers Champagne Moment for England to Mark Emergence on Big Stage.
This marks a curious aspect of England's November clean sweep that there were no debutants earned their first cap throughout the recent campaign, a scenario not seen in a quarter of a century. However, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against the Argentine side while securing his second appearance seemed to be the arrival of a major talent.
Star Performance in Hard-Fought Win
He proved to be the star turn in what was the team's least convincing outing of the November series. He scored the first try before creating the other two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a delightful cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the first half. Similarly, his popped pass to the center for the team's third try was equally impressive, capping off a fine debut performance at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.
He has the sort of triple threat 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 Bath this season.
Quick Rise and Future Prospects
It is just a little over a week since Steve Borthwick could have believed he had discovered his centre partnership for the future. But, the best compliment that can be given to the young star is that the coach may have to reconsider. Ojomoh was initially selected to an national team four years ago, but had to bide his time until the final match of the overseas trip to make his debut. Fitness issues to other players paved the way for Ojomoh to start here, and he surely will be in contention for a third cap when the squad reconvene to start their Six Nations campaign in the new year.
- Multiple Abilities: Excels at fly-half and midfield.
- Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
- Important Performance: Delivered when others were unavailable.
Team Background and Broader Implications
Where might England have fared against Argentina without Ojomoh? Undoubtedly they had some fortune and maybe it is not surprising that he was their best player. The team showed an natural decline in intensity following a significant victory over the All Blacks. Perhaps the coach should have made more changes.
Some perspective is needed, however. One might be inclined to criticize England for their failure to bring much intensity into this contest, or for almost throwing away a game they were dominating. However, this result completes a perfect record of November matches 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 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 team he will bring to the host nation. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. But there are very few existing players of the squad who are not in contention for the 2027 tournament.
That represents an advantage because it posed an issue for his predecessor, who struggled when it became apparent that veterans were not going to feature in his plans. He seems to have grasped the nettle earlier, preventing the torrid beginning that affected the squad in the past.
Player rankings sound like they are for seafarers of yesteryear, but coaches swear by them and the coach can be happy with his. On another day, the team might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking narrow loss. That they were not is largely due to Ojomoh, fortune, and the quality of the substitutes. As the coach plots a course to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after an unbeaten run, and therefore we can forgive the paucity of the recent display.