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This marks a interesting feature of the English team's autumn clean sweep that no new players earned their first cap during the series of matches, something not seen in a quarter of a century. Yet, Max Ojomoh's display against Argentina while earning his second appearance felt like the arrival of a major talent.

Star Performance in Hard-Fought Victory

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was the team's least convincing performance of the November series. He scored the first try before creating the remaining two. The setup for his teammate via a delightful cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the first half. Similarly, his quick offload to the center for the team's third try was just as impressive, concluding a fine first outing at Twickenham for the young player.

Ojomoh possesses the sort of triple threat that every manager desire from their inside-centre. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has appeared at number ten and at multiple midfield roles for his club this season.

Rapid Rise and Future Opportunities

It is just a little over a week since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had discovered his centre partnership for the future. But, the best compliment that can be given to the young star is that Borthwick may have to think again. Ojomoh was initially selected to an national team previously, but had to bide his time until the final match of the overseas trip to make his debut. Injuries to teammates created the opportunity for Ojomoh to begin here, and he undoubtedly will be in contention for a third cap when the squad reconvene to start their championship campaign in the coming months.

• Multiple Abilities: Excels at fly-half and centre.
• Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
• Important Performance: Delivered when others were unavailable.

Squad Context and Broader Implications

Where might England have been against Argentina without Ojomoh? Certainly they rode their luck and maybe it is not surprising that he was their best player. The team showed an natural decline in intensity following a major win over the All Blacks. Maybe Borthwick should have freshened things up.

Some perspective is required, though. It is tempting to lambast the side for their failure to bring much urgency into this match, or for almost throwing away a game they were dominating. However, this result completes a clean sweep of November matches for the initial occasion since 2016. 2025 ends with 11 straight wins after beginning with a defeat. We are midway in the four-year tournament plan and things look considerably rosier for the coach than they did previously.

Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy

Borthwick gives the impression that, two years out from the World Cup, he understands the core group of the team he will bring to Australia. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. But there are very few current members of the squad who are not in contention for the 2027 tournament.

This is an advantage because it posed an issue for his preceding coach, who found it difficult when it was clear that veterans were not going to play in his strategy. He seems to have taken action sooner, avoiding the difficult start that affected the team in the previous cycle.

Player rankings sound like they belong to sailors of the past, but managers swear by them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. On another day, England might be nursing their wounds after a heartbreaking late defeat. The fact they avoided that owes plenty to Ojomoh, fortune, and the strength of England's substitutes. As the coach plans the route to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after 11 wins in a row, and therefore we can overlook the lack of quality of the recent display.