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This marks a curious feature of the English team's autumn perfect record that no new players made their first cap throughout the series of matches, a scenario not seen in a quarter of a century. However, Max Ojomoh's display against Argentina while securing his second cap felt like the breakthrough of a major talent.

Star Performance in Hard-Fought Win

Ojomoh was the star turn in what was England's least convincing performance of the November series. He scored the opening touchdown before creating the other two. The setup for his teammate via a exquisite cross-field kick was the champagne moment of the opening period. Similarly, his quick offload to Henry Slade for the team's final score was just as eye-catching, capping off a fine debut performance at Twickenham for the young player.

He has the kind of triple threat that all coaches would want from their inside-centre. His abilities include running, kicking, and passing, and he has featured at fly-half and at both centre positions for Bath this season.

Rapid Ascent and Future Prospects

It is just a little over a week since Steve Borthwick could have believed he had discovered his midfield duo for the long term. However, the best compliment that can be paid to Ojomoh is that Borthwick may have to think again. He was initially selected to an national team previously, but had to wait until the final match of the summer tour to earn his first cap. Injuries to teammates created the opportunity for Ojomoh to start here, and he surely will be in consideration for a further appearance when the squad reconvene to begin their championship campaign in the coming months.

• Multiple Abilities: Can play number ten and midfield.
• Key Contributions: Notched a touchdown and set up two more.
• Important Performance: Delivered when teammates were unavailable.

Team Background and Wider Significance

How would England have been against Argentina without Ojomoh? Undoubtedly they had some fortune and perhaps it is no coincidence that he was their standout performer. England experienced an natural decline in intensity following a major win over New Zealand. Perhaps Borthwick should have made more changes.

A balanced view is needed, though. It is tempting to lambast the side for their inability to bring much urgency into this match, or for nearly losing a game they were controlling. But, this result completes a perfect record of four autumn fixtures for the first time since 2016. 2025 concludes with eleven consecutive victories after beginning with a defeat. The team is halfway through the four-year tournament plan and things look much more positive for Borthwick than they did at this stage.

Squad Depth and Long-Term Strategy

Borthwick gives the impression that, two years out from the World Cup, he understands the vast majority of the squad he will bring to the host nation. Naturally, there will be the odd bolter. But there are not many existing players of the roster who are not on track for the 2027 tournament.

That represents 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. Borthwick seems to have taken action sooner, preventing the difficult beginning that plagued the squad in the previous cycle.

Depth charts seem like they are for seafarers of the past, but coaches swear by them and Borthwick can be satisfied with his. On another day, England might be nursing their wounds after a gut-wrenching narrow loss. The fact they avoided that is largely due to the young star, fortune, and the quality of the bench. As the coach plans the route to the Six Nations, he has positive momentum after 11 wins in a row, and as a result we can overlook the paucity of this performance.