🔗 Share this article

It is a interesting feature of England's November perfect record that there were no debutants earned their international debut during the recent campaign, something not seen in a quarter of a century. However, the performance of Max Ojomoh display against Argentina while earning his second cap felt like the breakthrough of a future star.

Standout Performance in Hard-Fought Victory

Ojomoh was the key player in what was England's least convincing performance of the autumn. He finished off the opening touchdown before creating the remaining two. The setup for his teammate via a exquisite cross-field kick was the highlight play of the first half. Likewise, his popped pass to the center for England's third try was just as eye-catching, concluding a fine first outing at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.

He has the sort of versatile skillset that all coaches would want from their inside-centre. He can run, kick and pass, and he has featured at fly-half and at both centre positions for his club this season.

Quick Ascent and Upcoming Opportunities

Only a little over a week since Steve Borthwick could have believed he had discovered his centre partnership for the long term. But, the highest praise that can be paid to the young star 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 last game of the summer tour to make his debut. Fitness issues to other players paved the way for him to start here, and he surely will be in contention for a third cap when England reconvene to start their championship quest in the new year.

• Versatile Skillset: Can play fly-half and midfield.
• Crucial Input: Scored one try and set up two more.
• Timely Impact: Stepped up when others were injured.

Team Context and Wider Significance

How would the team have been against their opponents without Ojomoh? Undoubtedly they had some fortune and perhaps it is no coincidence that he was their standout performer. England showed an inevitable drop-off in energy following a major win over the All Blacks. Perhaps the coach should have made more changes.

Some perspective is required, though. One might be inclined to lambast the side for their inability to inject much intensity into this match, or for nearly losing a fixture they were dominating. However, this outcome completes a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the first time since recent years. 2025 ends with 11 straight wins after starting with a defeat. The team is midway in the four-year tournament plan and things look much more positive for the coach than they did previously.

Squad Depth and Future Planning

Borthwick appears that, with time remaining from the global tournament, he knows the vast majority of the team he will bring to the host nation. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. Yet there are very few current members of the squad who are not on track for the 2027 tournament.

This is an benefit because it was a problem for his preceding coach, who struggled when it became apparent that certain players were not going to play in his plans. Borthwick seems to have grasped the nettle earlier, preventing the difficult start that affected the team in the previous cycle.

Depth charts seem like they belong to sailors of the past, but managers rely on them and the coach can be happy with his. On another day, the team might be dealing with a loss after a heartbreaking late defeat. That they were not owes plenty to the young star, luck, and the strength of the substitutes. While Borthwick plans the route to the Six Nations, he has wind in England's sails after 11 wins in a row, and as a result we can overlook the lack of quality of this performance.