A passionate linguist and writer dedicated to helping others improve their communication through creative storytelling.
It is a interesting feature of the English team's November perfect record that no new players earned their international debut throughout the series of matches, something not seen in a quarter of a century. However, the performance of Max Ojomoh showing against the Argentine side while securing his second cap felt like the arrival of a future star.
Ojomoh was the star turn in what was the team's most challenging outing of the November series. He scored the opening touchdown before creating the remaining two. His assist for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a exquisite long pass was the highlight play of the opening period. Likewise, his quick offload to Henry Slade for the team's third try was just as eye-catching, concluding a excellent debut performance at the home stadium for the 25-year-old.
He has the sort of triple threat that all coaches 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 campaign.
It is just eight days since Steve Borthwick could have believed he had finally unearthed his centre partnership for the long term. But, the best compliment that can be paid to Ojomoh is that Borthwick might need to think again. He was first called up to an England squad previously, but had to wait until the last game of the overseas trip to make his debut. 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 regroup to start their championship campaign in the coming months.
How would England have fared against their opponents without Ojomoh? Undoubtedly they had some fortune and maybe it is not surprising that he was their best player. The team experienced an natural decline in energy following a major win over New Zealand. Maybe Borthwick should have freshened things up.
Some perspective is required, though. One might be inclined to lambast England for their inability to bring much intensity into this match, or for almost throwing away a game they were controlling. But, this result completes a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the first time since recent years. 2025 concludes with 11 straight wins after starting with a loss. The team is midway in the World Cup cycle and things look much more positive for the coach than they did at this stage.
The manager appears 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 not many existing players of the roster who are not in contention for the upcoming event.
This is an benefit because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who struggled when it was clear that veterans were not going to feature in his plans. He seems to have grasped the nettle sooner, preventing the torrid beginning that plagued the team in the previous cycle.
Depth charts sound like they are for sailors of the past, but coaches rely on them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. On another day, England might be nursing their wounds after a gut-wrenching late defeat. That they were not owes plenty to Ojomoh, fortune, and the quality of the substitutes. While Borthwick plans the route to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can overlook the paucity of this performance.
A passionate linguist and writer dedicated to helping others improve their communication through creative storytelling.