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This marks a curious aspect of the English team's November perfect record that there were no debutants earned their international debut during the series of matches, a scenario not seen in a quarter of a century. Yet, Max Ojomoh's display against Argentina while securing his second cap felt like the arrival of a major talent.

Star Performance in Hard-Fought Win

He proved to be the key player in what was the team's least convincing outing of the autumn. He scored the first try before setting up the other two. The setup for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso via a delightful cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the first half. Similarly, his popped pass to Henry Slade for the team's final score was equally impressive, concluding a excellent debut performance at Twickenham for the 25-year-old.

He has the kind of versatile skillset that every manager would want from their inside-centre. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has featured at number ten and at multiple midfield roles for his club this season.

Quick Rise and Upcoming Opportunities

It is just eight days since Steve Borthwick might have felt he had finally unearthed his centre partnership for the future. But, the best compliment that can be given to Ojomoh is that the coach might need to reconsider. Ojomoh was initially selected to an national team four years ago, but had to bide his time until the last game of the overseas trip to earn his first cap. Fitness issues to other players paved the way for him to begin here, and he undoubtedly will be in contention for a further appearance when the squad reconvene to start their championship campaign in the new year.

• Multiple Abilities: Excels at number ten and midfield.
• Crucial Input: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
• Important Performance: Delivered when teammates were injured.

Squad Context and Broader Implications

Where might England have fared against Argentina without him? Certainly they rode their luck and maybe it is no coincidence that he was their standout performer. England showed an natural decline in energy following a major win over the All Blacks. Maybe Borthwick should have freshened things up.

Some perspective is needed, however. One might be inclined to lambast the side for their failure to inject much urgency into this contest, or for almost throwing away a game they were controlling. But, this result completes a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the first time since recent years. 2025 ends with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a defeat. The team is midway in the four-year tournament plan and the situation look much more positive for the coach than they did at this stage.

Player Pool and Future Planning

Borthwick gives the impression that, two years out from the global tournament, he understands the vast majority of the squad he will take to the host nation. Of course, there will be the odd bolter. Yet there are not many current members of the squad who are not on track for the 2027 tournament.

That represents an advantage because it was a problem for his preceding coach, who found it difficult when it became apparent that certain players were not going to feature in his plans. Borthwick seems to have taken action sooner, avoiding the torrid beginning that plagued the team in the previous cycle.

Depth charts seem like they belong to seafarers of the past, but managers rely on them and the coach can be satisfied with his. On another day, the team might be dealing with a loss after a gut-wrenching narrow loss. The fact they avoided that owes plenty to the young star, fortune, and the quality of England's bench. While Borthwick plots a course to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after an unbeaten run, and as a result we can forgive the lack of quality of this performance.