Snubbed England Star Set for Box Office Clash

It’s almost like a big heavyweight championship title fight, and it adds to the excitement of a massive Prem match in Bristol on Friday evening.

Those intelligent, hard-hitting lines that the centre undoubtedly prides himself on, and with already being capped, would have given him a great deal of confidence.

But, this evening at Ashton Gate in what is a huge Prem contest, the 25-year-old is playing once again like he is auditioning for a role in the squad. However, this time around, it is Borthwick who has already made his choice.

It is an audition that he would have thought he had passed. But standing opposite him will be Benhard Janse van Rensburg, the player somewhat controversially selected by Borthwick.

With it already being a derby and so much on the line, this expected fiery head-to-head will add to the drama. But the clash between the pair has undoubtedly been one that both have marked down on their calendars.

Both are playing with a point to prove. A simple England squad announcement has made this already-exciting matchup even more watchable.

Ojomoh, already capped by England, had many supporters arguing for his inclusion, but will have this summer off following being omitted.

That stunning first-home Test start against Argentina at the end of 2025 now feels like a long-distant memory for the Bath player.

Former England international, Jeremy Guscott, on Ojomoh’s absence from the squad, said on X: “Max Ojomoh being left out of Borthwick’s latest England training squad feels a strange one.

Borthwick and his back-room team obviously think differently.

The South African-born Janse van Rensburg is not even officially eligible until July, and Borthwick has selected the Bristol Bears player for the upcoming Tests against South Africa, Fiji, and Argentina.

But, he is not eligible to play for England in their opening Nations Championship fixture against his native South Africa in Johannesburg.

It’s almost as if it has been scripted that the pair will meet before the inaugural Championships, but it all adds to the theatre that is rugby.

It has caused a stir among supporters for weeks, and with the Prem coming to its conclusion, the fixture list has provided a perfect piece of entertainment.

On Friday evening, Ojomoh gets to stake his case after being overlooked. He’ll showcase his versatility as a 12, and will look to punish a Bears side who are five points adrift from Exeter Chiefs, who occupy the final play-off spot.

You do feel that as the Nations Championship approaches, Janse van Rensburg needs to prove that his selection for England is justified, and isn’t just a matter of capping a player due to residency status.

He’s an incredibly powerful ball carrier and has great footwork and handling skills, which is what Borthwick has valued due to his selection. He’s been outstanding for Bristol, and last season was selected in the Gallagher Prem Team of the Season.

For Borthwick, he will not care about the outside noise if he truly believes Janse van Rensburg gives England that extra chance to put aside Fiji and Argentina.

Ojomoh now has 80 minutes to challenge that decision.