Recalled England centre Max Ojomoh commits to Bath and targets Rugby World Cup place

Max Ojomoh has committed his future to Bath, signing a new contract with his hometown club in the same week Steve Borthwick recalled him to start for England against Japan. The 26-year-old centre, who had been out of contract at the end of the season, confirmed the deal after months of reported interest from clubs in France.

“I was looking but I have re-signed at Bath in the last week, so I am there for the foreseeable,” Ojomoh said. “I am more than happy to stay for a long period of time.”

Ojomoh acknowledged that limited international opportunities had made a move abroad a genuine consideration. He has won just two England caps, the most recent coming a year ago against Argentina — a game in which he was named Player of the Match. Since then, he has been called up to senior training camps on multiple occasions only to be sent back to Bath without adding to his tally.

“Obviously with the limited opportunities I have had over the last 10 months it was something I had to weigh up,” he said. “But at the end of the day something I want to do is represent my country, represent my city, and I think re-signing at Bath is the best thing for that.”

Ojomoh described the cycle of call-ups and returns to club rugby as frustrating but manageable. “You know what, I have got kind of used to it. The good thing is when I am playing well, I am in the squad, and if I am not playing well, I don’t really expect to be in the squad. Obviously it gets frustrating at times but the good thing about rugby in England is there is always a game next week.”

Borthwick had given Ojomoh specific performance targets to work towards in order to force his way back into contention, with the England head coach focusing on the physical and statistical side of his game. “Try and increase my physicality as a defender and as an attacker, and look at those post-contact metres, which is something I have gone after,” Ojomoh said. “But, also, not forgetting what gets me here in the first place, which is probably my attacking game.”

With Borthwick confirming there are only five to seven places still available in his 33-man Rugby World Cup squad, Ojomoh is under no illusions about the size of the opportunity in front of him. “It’s probably time to put a marker down now that I have waited so long for an opportunity. I’ve got the chance now and it would be nice to put a stamp down, and hopefully start trending well before the World Cup.”