Rising Star Delivers Champagne Moment in Twickenham Display
In a curious twist for English rugby, this autumn's campaign marked the first time in 25 years that no new players made their debut. Yet the performance of Max Ojomoh in only his second appearance for England felt like the emergence of a significant new talent. The versatile back emerged as the shining light during England's least convincing performance of the November fixtures, making crucial contributions that secured victory against a determined Argentine side.
Triple Threat Capabilities on Full Display
Ojomoh demonstrated exactly why coaches value the triple threat capabilities he brings to the inside-centre position. The 25-year-old Bath player finished England's opening try before creating opportunities for two others. His most memorable moment came with a perfectly executed cross-field kick to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, described by observers as the champagne moment of the first half. Shortly after, his clever popped pass to Henry Slade resulted in England's third try, rounding off an impressive first appearance at Twickenham for the emerging star.
The timing of Ojomoh's breakthrough creates an interesting selection dilemma for head coach Steve Borthwick. Just eight days earlier, the England management might have believed they had discovered their future centre partnership through the effective combination of Fraser Dingwall and Ollie Lawrence against New Zealand. Ojomoh's performance against Argentina has undoubtedly complicated that equation, forcing a reconsideration of options ahead of the Six Nations.
Autumn Clean Sweep Provides Foundation for World Cup Planning
Despite the patchy performance against Argentina, England achieved their first autumn clean sweep since 2016, recording four consecutive victories. The year concludes with eleven straight wins following their opening defeat in Dublin, representing significant progress from the same point twelve months earlier. Borthwick has utilised 53 players across 2024 and 32 across these four November victories, demonstrating the depth building within the squad.
The England coach appears to have a clear vision for his World Cup planning, with most current squad members positioned to feature in the 2027 tournament in Australia. This forward-thinking approach contrasts with previous cycles, where selection decisions were sometimes delayed too long. The emergence of players like Ojomoh provides Borthwick with valuable options as he constructs his depth charts for the coming years.
While England rode their luck at times against Argentina, the strength of their bench and individual moments of quality from players like Ojomoh proved decisive. As Borthwick turns his attention to the Six Nations, he does so with considerable momentum and an expanding pool of talent at his disposal.
