Max Ojomoh signs new Bath contract after turning down France

Max Ojomoh has signed a new contract with Bath, ending months of speculation about a move to France.

The 26-year-old centre revealed the news in a Sky Sports interview from the England camp, two days before he starts against Japan at Allianz Stadium.

He was out of contract at the end of the season, so Bath have done well to keep him. He has been one of the most dangerous attacking centres in the Gallagher PREM for a while, and he is a Bath boy too.

Max Ojomoh contract: what he said

Ojomoh admitted he had looked elsewhere.

“I was looking but I have re-signed at Bath in the last week, so I am there for the foreseeable,” he told Sky Sports, as RugbyPass reports.

The club are yet to say how long the deal runs. Either way, he plays at the Rec in his home city every week, and that clearly counted for a lot.

Why France was tempting

The interest was real. Midi Olympique reported that Ojomoh had been offered to several Top 14 clubs. With his England chances drying up, you could see why he listened.

A move would have come at a cost, though. Under RFU rules, players based overseas cannot be picked for England, so France would effectively have ended his Test career for now.

In the end, it came down to the shirt.

“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,” he said.

A chance to put a marker down for England

The timing could hardly be better. Ojomoh starts at inside centre against Japan on Saturday, partnering Henry Slade, for what will be just his third cap and second Test start.

His last England game was a year ago against Argentina, when he scored and was named player of the match. After that he dropped out of Borthwick’s plans. He was recalled to the squad this week after Seb Atkinson was injured. He had started for England A against an Argentina XV at the Rec last Friday, and he got the nod ahead of Fraser Dingwall in the England team vs Japan.

Borthwick has called him “one of the most talented players in English rugby”, according to The Independent. He has also made it clear there are only five to seven spots up for grabs in his 33-man World Cup squad.

Ojomoh knows what Saturday means.

“It’s probably time to put a marker down now that I have waited so long for an opportunity,” he said. “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.”

What it means for Bath

For Bath, this is a big one. Keeping an England-capped centre at 26, through his best years, gives them a settled midfield while the squad keeps evolving.

It also says something about where Bath are. French clubs came knocking and they still kept one of their best English players. With the World Cup less than a year away, that matters to Ojomoh as much as it does to them. More of our club coverage is on our Premiership rugby hub.

England vs Japan kicks off at 4.40pm GMT on Saturday, live on ITV1 and ITVX, as our England vs Japan TV guide explains.

Max Ojomoh FAQ

Has Max Ojomoh signed a new Bath contract?
Yes. He told Sky Sports he re-signed at Bath in the last week. The length of the deal has not been announced.

Was Max Ojomoh moving to France?
He was offered to several Top 14 clubs and admitted he was looking, but he chose to stay at Bath.

Why would moving to France affect his England career?
RFU rules stop players based overseas from being selected for England.

How many England caps does Max Ojomoh have?
Two. He could win his third against Japan on Saturday.

What time is England vs Japan?
4.40pm GMT on Saturday 14 November at Allianz Stadium, live on ITV1 and ITVX.