England have been dealt a last-minute injury blow ahead of their Quilter Nations Series clash with Argentina, with centre Fraser Dingwall ruled out due to a side strain. Bath’s Max Ojomoh has been called up to replace Dingwall at inside centre (12), earning his biggest Test opportunity to date.
Ojomoh will partner Henry Slade in a completely new midfield combination. Slade himself came into the starting lineup after Ollie Lawrence was sidelined with injury when England initially named their squad on Wednesday.
Ojomoh’s Call-Up and Coach’s Confidence
Dingwall sustained his injury during England’s last-minute victory over New Zealand and struggled to shake it off during the week. England defence coach Richard Wigglesworth told BBC 5 Live:
“We told Max this morning. The lads were excited for him. He’s been playing brilliantly for Bath and has done so for quite a while now. We’re excited to see him in an England shirt.
“He’s an excellent attacker in terms of vision and distribution. He gets the backline and attack moving. Defensively, he’s made big strides – he double-defends really well and wants to have an impact. He takes everything in his stride, and we’re confident he will enjoy his first start at Twickenham with a smile on his face.”
Ojomoh, 25, earned his first England cap in July 2025 during a 40-5 win over the United States in Washington. Initially, it appeared his role in the autumn campaign would be limited to training with the senior squad and starting in England A’s defeat by an All Blacks XV.
Versatility and Club Success
Ojomoh is England’s most natural option at inside centre but can also cover outside centre (13) and fly-half – a position he played for Bath earlier this season. At club level, he played a pivotal role in Bath’s Premiership title win last season, under attack coach Lee Blackett, who has now transitioned to the same role with the England team.
Ojomoh comes from a strong rugby lineage: his father, Steve Ojomoh, won 12 caps for England as a loose forward and secured five league titles with Bath.
Argentina Team Preview
Argentina have maintained continuity with Bath teammate Santiago Carreras among the replacements after his impressive impact from the bench in their comeback win against Scotland. Carreras contributed to four tries as the Pumas overturned a 21-point deficit to win 33-24 at Murrayfield.
The Argentine back row boasts strength and experience, with Pablo Matera and Joaquin Oviedo among the reinforcements. Saracens’ Juan Martin Gonzalez and Bristol’s Santiago Grondona join Marcos Kremer in the starting pack. Newcastle’s Simon Benitez Cruz pairs with Tomas Albornoz at half-back, supported by Harlequins trio Rodrigo Isgro, Pedro Delgado, and Guido Petti. Veteran hooker Julian Montoya, now at French side Pau, captains the side.
England Team for Argentina
Starting XV: Steward; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Ojomoh, Daly; Ford, Spencer; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Opoku-Fordjour, Itoje, Coles, Pepper, Underhill, Earl.
Replacements: Dan, Baxter, Stuart, Ewels, T Curry, Pollock, Mitchell, M Smith.
Argentina Starting XV: Mallia (vc); Isgro, Moroni, Piccardo, Delguy; Albornoz, Benitez Cruz; Gallo, Montoya (c), Delgado, Petti, Rubiolo, Gonzalez, Kremer, S Grondona
Replacements: Ruiz, Wenger, Rapetti, Molina, Matera (vc), Oviedo, Moyano, S Carreras
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